Adam Johnson pleads guilty to sexual activity with 15-year-old girl

Posted Thursday, February 11, 2016 by Goal.com

The Sunderland midfielder has pleaded guilty to the charges at Bradford Crown Court but has denied two counts of sexual activity with a girl under the age of 16

Adam Johnson pleads guilty to sexual activity with 15-year-old girl

Sunderland winger Adam Johnson pleaded guilty to one count of sexual activity with a child and one count of grooming at Bradford Crown Court on Wednesday.

The 28-year-old appeared in court on the first day of his trial into allegations of child sex charges relating to incidents between December 2014 and February last year.

England international Johnson, who last played for the Three Lions in 2012, denies two charges of sexual activity with a girl under the age of 16.

He appeared in the dock wearing a black suit and white shirt and watched on as six men and six women were selected to sit on the jury, before Judge Jonathan Rose explained that they must try to ignore any stories they may read about the case in the media.

"You may see reference to this in the press but it's the evidence in court that you will gather," he said.

"This defendant has already pleaded guilty to two offences, you will hear more about them in detail when Miss Blackwell opens the case to you on Friday.

The jury, however, will have to come to a decision on the other two remaining charges: "It will be for you and only you to determine if he is guilty or not guilty."

Adam Johnson pleads guilty to sexual activity with 15-year-old girl

Sunderland-born Johnson, who has 12 England caps to his name, moved to The Stadium of Light from Manchester City in 2012.

Johnson was initially suspended by Sunderland following his arrest and subsequent bail in March.

But, having seen his bail extended by Durham Police, Johnson was cleared to return to training later that month and has since remained in the first-team picture.