Graeme Dott 'sexually abused boy' while world snooker champion, court hears

A former snooker player allegedly sexually abused a boy in a shower while world champion, a court heard.

Graeme Dott, 49, is currently on trial accused of lewd, indecent and libidinous practices and behaviour towards two children.

He denies the allegations, spanning between 1993 and 1996 involving a girl in the Glasgow region, and 2006 to 2010 involving a boy in South Lanarkshire.

Both charges state the alleged abuse occurred on "various occasions".

As the trial entered day three at the High Court in Glasgow, the male complainant testified his first memory of the alleged abuse took place in a shower and reportedly happened multiple times.

The man, who is now in his late-20s, told Advocate Depute Lindsey Dalziel that Dott would touch him in "inappropriate places".

He told the court that Dott was world snooker champion at the time and the abuse allegedly took place not long after he won the tournament.

Dott turned professional in 1994 and went on to win the World Snooker Championship in 2006, defeating Peter Ebdon in the final at the Crucible in Sheffield.

The man said that because of his age at the time, he "did not know what was going on", and it was only later he realised the interaction "wasn't right".

He described Dott's demeanour as "aggressive", adding: "Looking back, he knew what he wanted me to do."

The witness told the court: "He expected nothing but compliance."

The complainer told jurors that Dott was "very, very cautious" about getting wet and would often strip down, claiming: "He would be wearing nothing from the waist up."

He described one alleged incident in which Dott was said to have touched the boy and the complainer also said the defendant would "compliment" his body.

The man told jurors he "screamed out" in pain during another alleged incident in the shower, testifying: "That scared him off a little bit."

He added: "I could tell by his body language he got a fright when I screamed out."

The man claimed Dott also made sexual advances towards him in a car.

When asked by the prosecutor where he was allegedly kissed, the witness replied: "On my head, on my face, on my lips."

During the time of the alleged abuse, Dott reportedly gifted the boy treats, which included a £50 note.

The complainer claimed Dott gave him snacks as a "reward strategy", and as a result now has an aversion to Thai chili crisps, Irn-Bru and Dove soap.

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"I think he used money, sweets and chocolates as a reward strategy," the man told the court.

The man also claimed the smell of Dove now gives him "PTSD flashbacks".

The court heard the witness told police about the alleged abuse in October 2024.

Cross-examining the man, Dott's lawyer Euan Dow asked him why he had not told his parents about the abuse.

"I don't remember why I lied," the man replied.

Mr Dow also put it to the man: "Can I make clear to you that Mr Dott doesn't accept any of the instances of alleged abuse that you described in your evidence."

The trial, before Lord Harrower, continues.

(c) Sky News 2026: Graeme Dott 'sexually abused boy' while world snooker champion, court hears