Former world snooker champion Graeme Dott has been found guilty of sexually abusing two primary school-age children. The 49-year-old was convicted on Monday at the High Court in Glasgow of two counts of lewd, indecent and libidinous behaviour towards a girl and a boy.
Abuse spanned nearly two decades
The court heard that Dott subjected the girl to abuse between 1993 and 1996, and the boy between 2006 and 2010. In both cases, the incidents occurred in the Glasgow area. The abuse included exposing himself, inappropriate touching, and kissing the children.
The trial, which began on Tuesday, August 18, lasted five days. Jurors heard evidence from the first victim, now a woman in her 40s, who testified that Dott sexually abused her on multiple separate occasions while she was a child.
Victims' testimony detailed in court
The woman described how the abuse began with Dott 'caressing' her bottom over her clothing while giving her a piggyback. She also recounted an occasion when Dott suggested playing a 'guessing game' where she had to guess what he was doing. The woman told the court that Dott instructed her not to tell anyone about the abuse.
The second victim, now a man in his late 20s, said he was sexually abused by Dott on multiple occasions. He testified that Dott touched him inappropriately, kissed him, and performed sexual acts.
Dott denied all allegations
Giving evidence last week, Dott maintained there was 'absolutely no way' he had sexually abused two children. Under cross-examination by prosecutor Lindsey Dalziel, Dott denied being attracted to the girl when she was young, calling the idea 'disgusting'. When Dalziel put it to him that he touched the first victim and told her what to do, he denied the allegation and called it 'lies'.
Speaking about the second victim, Dott said he was 'never in my company' and denied all allegations of abuse.
Prosecution and defence closing arguments
In her closing speech on Friday, Dalziel called on the jury to find Dott guilty of both charges. She said: 'The Crown's case is that Graeme Dott subjected vulnerable children to the worst kind of abuse with a course of conduct which relied on opportunity, for his own gratification.'
Dott's lawyer, Euan Dow, had invited jurors to clear his client of both charges. However, the jury returned guilty verdicts on Monday, concluding the trial that began on Tuesday, August 18.
