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Adam Johnson: Timeline of sex charges trial

The Sunderland footballer previously denied the counts of sexual activity with a child

Serina Sandhu
Wednesday 10 February 2016 14:01 GMT
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Adam Johnson appeared at Bradford Crown Court on 10 February
Adam Johnson appeared at Bradford Crown Court on 10 February

Adam Johnson has pleaded guilty to one count of sexual activity with a 15-year-old and one count of grooming after appearing at Bradford Crown Court.

The 28-year-old was charged with three counts of sexual activity with the girl and another count of grooming in April 2015, but Johnson denied all four charges the following month.

On Wednesday, the Sunderland footballer continued to deny the other two counts of sexual activity.

Timeline of events:

2 March 2015 – Johnson is arrested at his home in County Durham on suspicion of having sexual activity with a 15-year-old girl. His club, Sunderland AFC, suspends him from playing pending the outcome of the police investigation.

Johnson’s family say he is innocent and that they will stand by him.

18 March – Sunderland's manager, Dick Advocaat, lifts Johnson’s suspension and the midfielder plays for the first time since being arrested three days later.

23 April – Johnson is charged with three counts of sexual activity with a 15-year-old girl and one count of grooming.

The three counts of sexual activity are alleged to have taken place on one night in January 2015, while the grooming offence is alleged to have taken place between December 2014 and February 2015.

24 April – It is announced that Johnson can continue to play for Sunderland.

18 May – Johnson’s solicitors tell Peterlee Magistrate’s Court that the footballer intends to deny the three counts of sexual activity and the count of grooming. No pleas are entered at this stage.

3 June – Appearing at Durham Crown Court, Johnson pleads not guilty to three counts of sexual activity with a child and another count of grooming.

3 August – Johnson appears at Durham Crown Court for a pre-trial hearing. His trial is pushed back from August 2015 to 10 February 2016.

10 February 2016 – At Bradford Crown Court, Johnson pleads guilty to one count of sexual activity with a child and one count of grooming. However, he continues to deny the other two counts of sexual activity.

Additional reporting by PA

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