David Richardson – Newcastle

A pervert taxi driver who spoke to a “schoolboy” about a taxi ride in exchange for sexual favours has been spared jail.

David Richardson, 31, believed he was sending sexually explicit messages to a 14-year-old boy.

He asked whether anyone else could see the boy’s phone, sent explicit images and referred to sexual activity.

But the person receiving the messages was an undercover officer from the North East Regional Organised Crime Unit.

Investigators identified Richardson partly through details visible in the images he sent, including his room and trainers.

He was arrested at his Denton Burn home on July 17.

Richardson admitted attempting to cause a child to watch images of sexual activity and attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child.

At Newcastle Crown Court, he received a 12-month prison sentence suspended for two years.

He must also comply with sex offender notification requirements and a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 10 years.