A woman who alleges she was sexually abused as a schoolgirl by former world snooker champion Graeme Dott has told a court that she "struggled" to speak out about the alleged incidents.

The testimony was heard during proceedings where the woman described her difficulty in coming forward with the accusations against the renowned Dott, who won the World Championship in 2001 and 2003.

The court was told that the alleged abuse occurred when the woman was a minor, and she detailed the emotional challenge she faced in disclosing the events to authorities and loved ones.

Legal representatives for Dott have previously denied all allegations. Dott, a prominent figure in professional snooker for over two decades, has maintained his innocence throughout the ongoing case. No further details regarding the specific timeframe of the allegations or additional evidence were disclosed during the brief court session.

The matter is expected to proceed with additional hearings scheduled in the coming weeks.