The former world snooker champion Graeme Dott has been accused of sexually abusing children. The 47-year-old is facing charges of sexual abuse against a boy and a girl.
Court papers allege he abused the girl in Glasgow between 1993 and 1996.
He is also alleged to have abused a boy between 2006 and 2010.
Dott, who won the 2006 World Snooker Championship, has been suspended by the sport’s governing body, the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association.
A short statement on the WPBSA website read: “Graeme Dott has been suspended by the WPBSA due to a case which is scheduled to be heard before the high court in Scotland. Whilst court proceedings are ongoing, it would be inappropriate for the WPBSA to make any further comment.”
Dott defeated Peter Ebdon to win the 2006 title at the Crucible in Sheffield. He also reached the final in 2004, when he was beaten by Ronnie O’Sullivan, and 2010, losing against the Australian Neil Robertson.
Having turned professional in 1994, Dott has been a regular on the World Snooker Tour circuit. However, this season he had fallen down the rankings to outside the world’s top 50.
Dott was set to enter this year’s World Snooker Championship qualifiers in the second round on Friday. Given he has the right to appeal over his suspension by the WPBSA, he currently remains in the draw. It is, though, unlikely that process could be completed in time for him to play on Friday as scheduled.
The case is due to call at the high court in Glasgow in June.