Adam Johnson: Footballer’s sister uploads ‘Justice for Johnson’ image to Facebook page

Player convicted of one count of sexual activity with a girl aged 15

Sunderland sacked him after he pleaded guilty at the start of his trial at Bradford Crown Court to grooming and kissing her. (Nigel Roddis/Getty Images)

Adam Johnson’s sister has uploaded a photo of her brother with the words “Justice for Johnson” to her Facebook page.

It comes after the social networking site removed an “Appeal Fight” page dedicated to the disgraced footballer.

Johnson was convicted of one count of sexual activity with a girl aged 15 but cleared on a second count on March 2.

The former Sunderland player pleaded guilty to one count of grooming the girl and one count of sexual activity related to kissing. He denied two more serious charges of sexual activity, but was later found guilty of digital penetration.

The photo uploaded by Faye Johnson (Faye Johnson/Facebook)

In Faye Johnson’s photo, her 28-year-old brother can be seen hugging a young child presumed to be his daughter. The photo caption reads: “Change your profile picture to support Adam Johnson’s appeal.”

“Facebook removed our group but we will not stop publicising our support. #Team AJ.”

She later uploaded a picture of her brother with the child on his shoulders.

On Monday, Facebook removed the Adam Johnson Appeal Fight page. However a page under the same name was live on the site on Tuesday.

Anonymous paedophile hunters Dark Justice, commenting on its initial removal, said: "We think it's crazy such a page even got made and some of the stuff said on there was sick.

"There was no need at all. We're glad it's gone."

The judge at Bradford Crown Court told Johnson his case fell into the category of a five-year prison sentence, with a range of four to 10 years.

Additional reporting by PA