Footballer Adam Johnson ‘knew sexual contact with girl, 15, was morally wrong’

Accused: Adam Johnson arriving at court today with partner Stacey Flounders
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England footballer Adam Johnson “abused his revered position in society” when he had sexual contact with a 15-year-old fan “in a way that he knew was both morally and legally wrong”, a prosecutor said today.

The 28-year-old former Sunderland winger went on trial accused of sexual activity with a child — a teenage girl who said Johnson was her favourite player.

Opening Johnson’s trial, prosecutor Kate Blackwell said: “It is the Crown’s case that what has brought the defendant to this courtroom is a sexual desire for (the girl), an excessive arrogance and an unwarranted level of expectation.

“He has abused his revered position in society and, having met (her), this 15-year-old girl, at Sunderland Football Club and later on social media, and knowing that she looked up to him, made a conscious decision to act in a way that he knew was both morally and legally wrong.”

Miss Blackwell told Bradford crown court that Johnson had played for his country “wearing the England shirt with pride”. She added: “His is the success story that many young people can only dream of.” The prosecutor said the girl involved was 15 in December 2014, a time when Johnson lived with partner, Stacey Flounders, who was then pregnant with their daughter, in Castle Eden, County Durham.

Miss Blackwell said: “Her (the girl’s) real passion was Sunderland Football Club. She was a season ticket holder and rarely missed a home game and her favourite player was Adam Johnson.

“After matches, she would hang around waiting for a glimpse of him, wanting to get a photograph, often sporting a Sunderland shirt with Johnson’s name emblazoned across the back.”

Miss Blackwell said Johnson made contact with the girl after she issued a Facebook friend request to him just before new year 2015. The footballer denies two counts of sexual activity with a child. The trial continues.

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