Match-fixing snooker player Stephen Lee has been described as being ‘weak man’ who gave into temptation after being handed a 12 year ban from the sport.

This is the view of Adam Lewis QC who oversaw the independent enquiry into the behaviour of Lee, 38, from Trowbridge, who was found guilty of fixing seven competitive matches.

Mr Lewis said: "These breaches occurred when Mr Lee was in a financially perilous state not entirely of his own making and was finding it difficult to obtain entry to enough tournaments.

"As a weak man in a vulnerable position he succumbed to temptation. I consider it unlikely that he was the prime mover or instigator of the activity. It seems to me likely that advantage was taken of him."

The World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) had called for Lee to receive a lifetime ban from the sport but they’re satisfied with the punishment handed out by Mr Lewis, of Sporting Resolutions. 

Nigel Mawer, the organisation’s disciplinary chairman, said: "In effect it is a life ban because I think it is highly unlikely that Stephen Lee will be able to come back to the sport at this level.

"We don't take great pleasure out of that as this is a case of a fantastic snooker player who has thrown it all away through making the wrong decisions.

"It is only human to have a degree of sympathy for him and it is going to be very difficult for him but we have to send a very strong message that match-fixing is not going to be tolerated.”

Mr Mawer said the case will act as a deterrent to any players considering match-fixing and that he believes snooker is a ‘clean sport’.

Lee plans to appeal Mr Lewis’ findings.