Child abuse trial of snooker champion Graeme Dott hears closing arguments

Jurors have heard closing arguments in the child abuse trial of former world snooker champion Graeme Dott.

Dott, 49, is accused of lewd and libidinous behaviour towards a girl and boy between 1993 and 2010. He denies the charges.

Prosecutor Lindsey Dalziel told the High Court in Glasgow that "brave and compelling" witnesses had given evidence of him preying upon the children.

Dott's lawyer, Euan Dow, said emotions in such cases were natural, and urged jurors to not to decide the verdicts on "hunches" or "suspicions".

In an hour-long speech, Dalziel told the jury that Dott "subjected vulnerable children to the worst kinds of abuse" for his own gratification.

She said evidence had not been easy to listen to, as it was describing "real, very graphic childhood sexual abuse."

The advocate depute first spoke of the testimony of the then girl - now in her 40s - who made a number of allegations including inappropriate touching and the snooker player exposing himself.

Dalziel said: "She was a straightforward and calm witness. She did not exaggerate or embellish."

The prosecutor said evidence from the boy - now in his 20s - was also "straightforward and not contrived".

He said abuse had started shortly after Dott became world champion in May 2006.

This was said to have included being molested in the shower at a house in Lanarkshire, given a £50 note as part of a "reward strategy" and being groped while Dott was playing online poker.

The advocate depute suggested there were "significant similarities" in the testimony of each witness.

During the trial Dott repeatedly denied the claims made against him and branded them as "disgusting".

His lawyer said the ex-champion "need not prove one thing" and that he is "presumed innocent".

Euan Dow said evidence from both accusers should be treated with "caution".

He spoke about the then girl eventually disclosing her allegations to a number of people.

He said that if someone is not telling the truth, then no matter how many individuals are told something "it does not lend the lie any more credibility".

The advocate added that "experience tells us that sometimes complainers do lie".

The lawyer asked for Dott's denials in his testimony to be "accepted" and that prosecutors had not proved the case "beyond reasonable doubt".