This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-35437118
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Ex-Dragons' Den star cleared of child sex offences | Ex-Dragons' Den star cleared of child sex offences |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Former star of Dragon's Den Doug Richard has been found not guilty of child sex offences. | Former star of Dragon's Den Doug Richard has been found not guilty of child sex offences. |
| Mr Richard, 57 contacted the 13-year-old girl through a "sugar daddy" website. | Mr Richard, 57 contacted the 13-year-old girl through a "sugar daddy" website. |
| He admitted having sex with the girl but told the court he believed she was 17. | He admitted having sex with the girl but told the court he believed she was 17. |
| He was cleared of sexual activity with a child, causing a child to engage in sexual activity and paying for sexual services. | |
| He exchanged messages with the 13-year-old after meeting her on the Seeking Arrangements website and went on to act out his fantasies when she travelled to London to meet him. | |
| The American businessman, who once advised 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 sex with a child. | |
| The court heard he gave the girl and a friend who accompanied her £60 each in cash, which Richard says was a "gift" and not payment for sex. | |
| The court also heard that he made two £120 deposits into PayPal accounts to cover their travel expenses and pre-booked an apartment in London. | |
| The jury was sent out at 11:00 GMT and took under four hours to reach a verdict. |