Jury finds Adam Johnson guilty of one child sex charge
Jury finds Adam Johnson guilty of one charge of sexual activity with a child, clears him of another.
Former Sunderland footballer Adam Johnson has been found guilty of one charge of sexual activity with a child, having earlier been cleared of a similar count at Bradford Crown Court on Wednesday.
Johnson pleaded guilty to one count of sexual activity with a child and one of grooming at Bradford Crown Court on the opening day of his trial on February 10, denying two further charges of sexual activity with a girl under the age of 16.
Judge Jonathan Rose asked the jury to reach a unanimous verdict on the remaining charges and Johnson was found not guilty of one of the two, relating to the then 15-year-old performing a sex act on him.
The jury were then sent back out to continue deliberating the remaining charge under majority direction, meaning Judge Rose would accept a majority verdict, and Johnson was eventually found guilty.
Jurors returned a majority verdict of 10-2 before Johnson was bailed for sentencing in two to three weeks, with a custodial sentence likely.
Sunderland terminated Johnson's contract following his initial guilty pleas, while boot manufacturer Adidas also cut ties with the winger – capped 12 times by England at International level.
The Premier League club suspended Johnson following his arrest and subsequent bail last March, but cleared him to return to first-team duties when his bail was extended by Durham Police.
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He scored twice in 19 league appearances for Sunderland this season.
The former Middlesbrough and Manchester City player won the Premier League and FA Cup during his time at Etihad Stadium.