Former Dragons’ Den star cleared of child sex charges

A former BBC Dragons’ Den star who engaged in “50 Shades of Grey-type” role play with an under-age girl has been cleared of child sex charges.

Doug Richard (57) exchanged "sexy chat" with the 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.

But the American millionaire, who once advised British prime minister David Cameron, told jurors that at the time he believed she was an experienced 17-year-old and insisted he would never "knowingly" have had sex with a child.

The court heard he gave the girl and a friend who accompanied her £60 each in cash, which Mr Richard insisted was a “gift” and not payment.

A jury of eight women and four men deliberated for four hours and 15 minutes before finding Mr Richard, of Islington, north London, 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.

Mr Richard was emotional as the verdicts were delivered and left the court in tears.

Giving evidence during the five-day trial, Mr Richard said that he had used the website Seeking Arrangements for around four years and had gone on to meet some women in their 20s for sex. He said: “As mortifying it is to say, I was looking for role play and fantasy relationships involving dominance and submission.”

Mr Richard told jurors that he kept his activities on the site secret for “obvious reasons ” adding: “It bothered me but I was also quite addicted to it.” The entrepreneur first messaged the 13-year-old girl after being attracted by her profile describing herself as “submissive”.

He said: “It’s Fifty Shades of Grey-type stuff. I said ‘it seemed like we have something in common, are you interested?’ and she replied ‘yeah a lot, I’m extremely interested’.”

PA