Throughout his trial, Dott maintained he was innocent and called the claims made against him "disgusting".

Police had previously contacted Dott about his victims' allegations in 2001, but no charges were brought.

Paul O'Hare
at the High Court in Edinburgh

Image source, Getty Images

It is rare to observe someone who reached the very pinnacle of their profession, at a global level, in such a scenario.

Dott gave evidence during his trial and branded the allegations “nonsense” and “lies”.

He told the court: “I have never acted inappropriately with anyone.”

But on 24 August, a jury at the High Court in Glasgow found him guilty of sexually abusing two children over a 17-year period.

Today he stood in a dock, flanked by two security guards, as he learned his fate.

Dott’s downfall, from world snooker champion to convicted sex offender, is as remarkable as his crimes were despicable.

The defence agent told the court Dott had already been the subject of threats in prison, and had been moved to another part of the jail as a result of becoming “a target within the custodial establishment”.

It had emerged that Dott's female victim was nine at the time of his first offence and he was 16.

The boy was eight when he was first targeted by Dott, who was 28 by then.

Dow told the court Dott had been removed from the World Snooker Hall of Fame and had no future career in the sport.

He added: “Both his personal and professional reputations have been destroyed.”

Earlier Euan Dow, representing Dott, told the court the father-of-two was separated from his wife.

But Dow said the former world snooker champion “continues to enjoy the support of his family and friends”.

He added that Dott suffers from "long-standing mental health issues".

Dott continues to maintain his innocence.

Paul O'Hare
at the High Court in Edinburgh

There was a stony silence in court as Dott, wearing a dark suit and pink shirt, was led into the dock.

The 49-year-old continued to show no emotion as the judge delivered his sentence.

He was then led away in handcuffs to begin his seven-year jail term.

The sentence of seven years has been backdated to 24 August, which is when Dott was remanded in custody.

The judge added social work reports deem Dott to pose a "below average risk of reoffending".

But he noted the former snooker world champion maintains his innocence, so he cannot take into account any remorse or insight into his offending.

Dott has two previous convictions for minor road traffic offences in 2013 and 2015.

Before delivering sentence, the judge Lord Harrower told the court each child was vulnerable and Dott's behaviour towards them "bore the classic hallmarks of grooming".

He said Dott rewarded the victims with treats and the abuse was part of a game.

The judge added that Dott robbed his victims of "a significant part of their childhood" and they experienced "fear, shame and anger".

As Lord Harrower addressed him, Dott shook his head at some of the detail in disbelief.

Following a trial, Dott was convicted under Scots Law of lewd and libidinous practices.

These refer to any sexual crimes against children committed prior to 1 December 2010.

The offence was abolished in 2009, but is still used for crimes carried out before then.

Image source, PA Media

Dott was found guilty of two charges of lewd and libidinous behaviour towards a girl and a boy between 1993 and 2010.

During a trial at the High Court in Glasgow, it emerged that Dott had exposed himself and inappropriately touched the primary school girl in the 1990s and attacked the young boy between 2006 and 2010.

The girl, now a woman in her 40s, told how Dott would kiss her, touch her inappropriately and carried out a sexual act that would, if committed now, amount to rape.

The boy, now a man in his 20s, said he was about eight years old when Dott molested him in a shower at a home in South Lanarkshire.

Paul O'Hare
at the High Court in Edinburgh

Dott showed no emotion as he was sentenced. He simply nodded to someone in the public gallery as he was led away.

The former world snooker champion has been jailed for seven years.

Image source, Police Scotland/PA Media

Graeme Dott, the 2006 world snooker champion, is due to be sentenced for child sexual abuse offences.

The 49-year-old Scot was convicted of two charges of lewd and libidinous behaviour towards a girl and a boy.

He was found guilty after a trial at the High Court in Glasgow in August.

Dott, who has been held on remand in prison since being found guilty, is due to appear for sentencing at the High Court in Edinburgh shortly.