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Verdict: Adam Johnson sentenced to six years in jail

8 years ago
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Adam Johnson has today been sentenced to six years in jail.

The Adam Johnson trial ended three weeks ago with the now former Sunderland player found guilty of sexual activity with a child.

At the very start of that trial, Adam Johnson had given guilty pleas to charges of grooming and sexual activity with the girl, the conclusion of the trial saw the jury finding him also guilty of a more serious charge of sexual activity.

Thursday (today) saw Johnson back in court in Bradford to find out what sentence he was going to receive.

Three weeks ago Judge Rose told Adam Johnson that it was ‘almost inevitable’ he would face a custodial sentence and that the range was likely to be between four and ten years in jail.

Prosecuting QC Kate Blackwell said today that there was:

“A significant degree of planning by Adam Johnson in order to commit these offences and he was all but twice her age.

“The most aggravating factor in this case is the psychological harm Adam Johnson caused the victim.

“It was Adam Johnson’s decision to continue playing for Sunderland, earning wages and receiving the adulation of fans knowing he was guilty.

“Adam Johnson was in the habit of meeting girls on the way back from training to have sex.

“Johnson used his previous ‘good character’and standing to groom the victim and then persuade her to engage in sexual activity.”

Kate Blackwell adding that the girl said she was still being bullied at school and her mother had said ‘disturbing threats of violence’ had been made against her daughter. The mother adding though that they didn’t regret having gone to the Police and she also stated categorically, that they had received no financial gain from the court case.

Judge Rose when handing out the six year sentence to Adam Johnson:

“All of this is entirely your own fault and responsibility.

“It’s because you were a respected Sunderland footballer that you were able to commit these offences.”

Adam Johnson’s barrister confirmed that the grounds for appeal to the more serious charge were lodged on Thursday morning.

 

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