Dragons' Den star Doug Richard found not guilty of child sex charges
The former Dragon’s Den judge Douglas Richard has been found not guilty of child sex charges.
The 57-year-old, who once advised Prime Minister David Cameron, engaged in “sexy chat” with a 13-year-old after meeting her on a 'sugar daddy' website and went on to act out his fantasies when she travelled from her home in Norwich to meet him in London.
However, the American millionaire claimed he believed she was an experienced 17-year-old and told jurors he would never “knowingly” have sex with a child.
The court heard he gave the girl and a friend who came with her to the apartment in the City £60 each in cash. Richard insisted was a “gift” and not a form of payment.
Richard, of Islington, north London, was found not guilty of three counts of sexual activity with a child, one of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and a charge of paying for sexual services.
He had denied all five charges related to child sexual activity. He left the court in tears.
Additional reporting by the Press Association