Doug Richard: Ex-Dragons’ Den star to face trial over child sex charges

Doug Richard appeared in the first two series of Dragons' Den
Nigel Howard
Michael Clarke25 January 2016
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Former Dragons' Den star Doug Richard is to go on trial accused of paying a 13-year-old girl for sex after meeting her on a "Sugar Daddy" website.

The 57-year-old allegedly spanked the girl's bottom and engaged in other sexual activity after she travelled to London to meet him.

The former adviser to Prime Minister David Cameron is charged with 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 a child for sexual services.

His five-day trial begins today and will be heard at the Old Bailey.

All the charges relate to one girl who was aged 13 at the time of the alleged offences on January 2 last year.

The US-born businessman, of Islington, north London, has denied wrongdoing and is on unconditional bail.

The millionaire, who appeared on BBC's Dragons' Den in the first two series, reportedly travelled with the Prime Minister on an official government trip to Africa and advised on policy.

He founded a business loans initiative called School For Startups, alongside the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

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