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England star admits grooming schoolgirl

Author
Simon Collins, NZME,
Publish Date
Thu, 11 Feb 2016, 12:33PM
Adam Johnson and his partner Stacey Flounders arrive at court. Photo / Getty Images
Adam Johnson and his partner Stacey Flounders arrive at court. Photo / Getty Images

England star admits grooming schoolgirl

Author
Simon Collins, NZME,
Publish Date
Thu, 11 Feb 2016, 12:33PM

England footballer Adam Johnson is facing jail after he admitted kissing and touching up a 15-year-old girl.

The 28-year-old pleaded guilty to one count of sexual activity with a child and one count of grooming.

Johnson faces two other charges of sexual activity with a child aged under 16 years.

The Sunderland winger's trial is being heard at Bradford Crown Court.

All counts relate to a teenage girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons.

Johnson, wearing a black suit, white shirt and grey tie, today spoke only to confirm his name and enter two guilty pleas.

He will be sentenced for the crimes - which carry a maximum jail term of two and a half years - after the conclusion of his trial on the two remaining charges.

Johnson's partner Stacey Flounders - mother to their one-year-old girl - was present in court, sat alongside Johnson's father.

Johnson had initially denied all four charges against him, but today he changed his plea to guilty on two of the counts.

The jury which was sworn in today was told that Johnson has pleaded guilty to two charges.

Jurors heard that the case will open on Friday, and Judge Jonathan Rose warned them that they can only consider evidence which is presented in court.

Ms Flounders, 26, has stood by Johnson since the claims first emerged. The couple had a baby together just a few weeks before his initial arrest.

The sexual offences are alleged to have taken place at two locations in County Durham on a night in January 2015.

Johnson began his career at Middlesbrough before moving to Manchester City and then transferred to Sunderland for £10 million in 2012.

He has represented England 12 times between 2010 and 2012, scoring two goals.

The player was initially suspended by Sunderland in the wake of his arrest, but he was then allowed to return to the team.

This story originally appeared on the New Zealand Herald.

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