Child Abuse Trial of Snooker Champion Graeme Dott Nears Verdict After Closing Arguments

The High Court in Glasgow has heard final submissions in the child abuse trial of snooker champion Graeme Dott. Mr Dott, 49, faces charges of lewd and libidinous conduct towards a girl and a boy across a 17-year period, from 1993 to 2010. The charges specify incidents at various locations, including a snooker club, private residences, and during a holiday in Salou, Spain.

Defence Challenges Credibility

Defence counsel John Scullion KC argued that the prosecution's case lacked sufficient evidence, particularly corroboration for the complainants' testimonies. He told the jury that Mr Dott maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings and that **inconsistencies within the testimonies of the two accusers rendered their accounts unreliable**.

Mr Scullion highlighted discrepancies in the details provided by the girl, now an adult, regarding specific events and locations. He also pointed to her admitted use of illicit substances, suggesting this could impact the reliability of her memory. For the male complainant, the defence questioned his account of a visit to a snooker club, noting the absence of other witnesses or corroborating details.

Prosecution Maintains Allegations

Advocate depute Gillian Paterson, for the Crown, urged the jury to accept the credibility of both complainants. She stated that while direct corroboration for every detail was not present, the consistency of their overarching narratives, despite the passage of time, supported the allegations. Ms Paterson specifically referenced what she described as the complainants' "childlike accounts" given to police at the time the allegations first surfaced, arguing they were consistent with genuine experiences rather than fabrications.

Mr Dott denies all charges against him. The jury is expected to be given instructions before retiring to consider its verdict.