Adam Johnson sentenced to six years in jail for sex offences

FORMER England footballer Adam Johnson has been jailed for six years for engaging in sexual activity with a besotted 15-year-old fan after a judge was told he was also arrested for possessing extreme pornography.

Adam Johnson has been sentenced to six years in prison. Picture: PA

After Johnson was jailed at Bradford Crown Court, restrictions were lifted which have prevented the reporting of the 28-year-old’s arrest in relation to alleged extreme pornographic images, thought to be bestiality-related, found on his computer.

The arrest was mentioned in hearings at Durham Crown Court before Johnson’s trial.

Durham Police confirmed he has now been released from his bail in relation to this matter and no further action will be taken.

It is understood the images found on the computer were of a “jokey” nature.

The pre-trial hearings also heard how police found medicines in a safe when Johnson was arrested which indicated he may have been suffering from sexually transmitted infections.

Johnson showed no emotion as he stood in the dock, flanked by a security guard, as Judge Jonathan Rose said: “I am satisfied that [the girl] has suffered severe psychological harm and have no doubt that I should take this into account.”

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Judge Rose told the former Sunderland and Manchester City winger that he took advantage of “a young teenager’s adoration of a successful celebrity”.

Johnson looked straight ahead and did not glance at his parents, Sonia and Dave, who also showed no emotion as they sat listening in the front row of the public gallery.

The packed courtroom listened in silence as Judge Rose repeated how Johnson had kissed and sexually touched the girl in his Range Rover, in a secluded spot in County Durham, on 30 January last 
year.

The judge told the player the offences happened “at a time when you were engaged in frequent sexual intercourse with multiple partners”.

And he outlined how various medical professionals had agreed he suffered from “compulsive sexual behaviour”.

The judge said Johnson, who ran past photographers into the court building but sauntered into the dock chewing gum, will need treatment for his sexual problems.

Judge Rose outlined how Johnson’s offending happened when he met the girl for a second time after exchanging hundreds of social media messages with her.

The first time they met he gave her a signed football shirt, and when they met again he asked for his “thank you kiss”.

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