Former world snooker champion Graeme Dott, 49, appeared at the High Court in Glasgow as his trial began on charges of lewd and libidinous behaviour towards a girl and a boy between 1993 and 2010. Dott denies the allegations, and the trial before Judge Lord Harrower is ongoing.
According to a national news outlet, proceedings opened on 18 August 2026, a day later than the originally scheduled start of 17 August 2026, with jurors hearing testimony from one of the alleged victims who gave evidence from behind a screen. The same report noted that Dott was in attendance, dressed in a dark suit, as the case got underway.
What is Dott accused of?
The prosecution alleges that Dott engaged in inappropriate conduct with two children on multiple occasions across locations including addresses in Glasgow's east end, South Lanarkshire, and inside a vehicle. The claims involving the female complainant include allegations that he touched her inappropriately, told her to undress, and exposed himself to her. Separately, allegations concerning a male complainant state that Dott made sexually charged comments, entered a bathroom to watch him bathe, and subjected him to unwanted physical contact.
What did the female witness tell the court?
Now in her 40s, the woman testified that the earliest incident took place at a Glasgow property when she was around nine or ten years old. She recalled that she had been in a room with other children when Dott entered, and that she later wanted to head downstairs, prompting Dott to offer her a piggyback ride, which she described using the term "coaksey."
He carried me down the stairs and we got to the bottom of the landing. There was a hall window that looks out onto the street. He stopped. He started caressing my backside with his hands.
She said that during this encounter, her legs were wrapped around him, and that the alleged touching over her clothing continued for roughly two minutes. When prosecutor Lindsey Dalziel asked whether she recalled Dott saying anything at the time, the witness responded that the moment had felt unusual to her.
I think he said 'does that feel nice' or something. I cannot recall.
The witness also described a separate alleged incident in which Dott, who resides in the Dennistoun area of Glasgow, reportedly invited her to take part in a "guessing game." She claimed he then suggested she remove her trousers, lifted her top, and kissed her stomach, alongside further allegations of inappropriate touching. She told the court that this pattern of alleged abuse recurred on several occasions.
What led up to the trial?
Dott previously denied the charges during a virtual court hearing, with his defence team maintaining that the allegations were fabricated, according to an earlier report from 2025, which indicated a five-day trial had been scheduled for 17 August 2026. Dott won the World Snooker Championship title in 2006.
What happens next?
The trial is expected to run for up to five days before Lord Harrower, according to reporting on the case, with further evidence anticipated as proceedings continue.
- Graeme Dott, 49, denies lewd and libidinous conduct charges involving a girl and a boy between 1993 and 2010
- The trial opened on 18 August 2026 at the High Court in Glasgow, a day after its original 17 August 2026 start date
- One alleged victim testified from behind a screen during the opening day of proceedings
- The case is being heard before Judge Lord Harrower and is expected to last up to five days
