A former world snooker champion allegedly ordered a young boy to stay out of a room while he was with a girl he is accused of sexually abusing, a jury has been told.
Graeme Dott, who won the World Snooker Championship in 2006, is currently on trial facing serious allegations of child sexual abuse. The court heard evidence this week that the Scottish snooker star allegedly told a boy to leave the room while he was alone with the young girl at the centre of the case.
The jury heard the account as prosecutors continued to lay out their case against Dott, one of the most recognisable figures in Scottish sport. The detail about the boy being turned away from the room was presented as part of the wider evidence surrounding the alleged incidents.
Dott, who grew up in Wishaw, North Lanarkshire, built a reputation over decades as one of snooker’s most respected players. He reached the pinnacle of the sport when he claimed the world title at the Crucible in Sheffield, becoming a household name in Scotland. He has remained active on the professional tour in the years since.
The trial, which is ongoing, has heard a number of serious allegations against the 48-year-old. Dott has not yet given his response to the claims in court as the case continues to unfold before the jury.
Details of the full charges and the identities of those involved remain subject to reporting restrictions to protect the young people at the centre of the allegations.
The case has sent shockwaves through the snooker world, with Dott having been a prominent figure in the sport for well over two decades. World Snooker has not made any public comment on the proceedings while the trial is active.
The trial continues.