Former world snooker champion Graeme Dott has been found guilty of sexually abusing two children in a case involving allegations dating back decades.
Dott, 49, was convicted at the High Court in Glasgow on Monday after a trial concerning two separate charges of "lewd, indecent and libidinous behaviour". The allegations involved a girl between 1993 and 1996 and a boy between 2006 and 2010. According to Reuters, Dott denied the charges throughout the trial but was convicted after the court heard evidence relating to both alleged victims.
The former world champion will be sentenced next month. The conviction brings an extraordinary fall from grace for a player who reached three World Championship finals and won the sport's biggest title in 2006.
The first set of allegations concerned a girl who was a child at the time. Prosecutors alleged that Dott sexually assaulted her, exposed himself to her and induced her to touch him.
The second charge concerned a boy and covered a later period between 2006 and 2010. The indictment included allegations that Dott made sexual remarks to the boy and touched his genitals.
The two cases therefore involved different alleged victims and occurred years apart.
Dott denied both charges and maintained his innocence during the proceedings. However, the jury ultimately found him guilty following the trial at the Glasgow High Court.
Police Scotland Detective Inspector Gary Smillie described Dott as a 'dangerous individual' following the conviction and said he hoped the verdict would provide some comfort to those affected by his crimes.
Dott became one of Scotland's most recognisable snooker players during a career that reached its peak in the mid-2000s.
He won the World Snooker Championship in 2006, defeating England's Peter Ebdon 18-14 in the final at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre. The victory remains the defining achievement of his professional career.
Dott had already reached the World Championship final in 2004, where he lost to Ronnie O'Sullivan. He returned to the final in 2010 but was beaten by Neil Robertson. His three appearances in the final made him one of Scotland's most successful players of his generation.
Dott's conviction also brings further consequences for his professional career.
The World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association suspended him after the criminal charges were announced last year. The governing body had previously said it would await the outcome of the legal proceedings. The conviction now leaves Dott facing sentencing as well as the professional repercussions of the case.
ABC News also reported that Dott was convicted after being accused of historical sexual abuse involving two children. The allegations covered a period stretching from the early 1990s to 2010, making the case one of the most serious scandals to involve a major figure in Scottish snooker.
The court will now determine Dott's punishment, with sentencing scheduled for next month.
