ACCOMPLISHED FOOTBALLER CHARGED WITH SEXUAL OFFENCE

BY LUCY CAULKETT

  England player, Adam Johnson, has been charged with three child sex offences with a person under 16 and one of sexual grooming, under the Section 15 of the Sexual offences Act 2003 and of sexual activity of a child, contrary to section 9 of the Sexual Offence Act, 2003. The alleged offence dates from 30th of December to 26 February 2013. The alleged offences were committed on a girl who was 15 at the time. Johnson was initially suspended by Sunderland  last month pending the outcome of a police investigation, but was subsequently allowed to return to training on 2 weeks later after his bail was extended.

 A statement  made by Wareham read “May I remind all concerned that the defendant has a right to a fair trial. It is very important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings. “I would also remind people that the complainant in this case is entitled to lifelong anonymity under the law. For these reasons, it would be inappropriate for me to comment further.”

This means the girl’s identity has been legally protected by the law for an indefinite period of time. Johnson’s career started at the age of 12 when he was picked up by Middlesbrough’s youth academy, having first attended Newcastle’s United centre of excellence between 1995 and 1997 when he was still pretty much a puppy. He made his senior debut at the age of 17 in 2005 in the UEFA cup and joined Leeds United the following year in 2006, where he won the man of the match in a tough premiership year for the team. 5 months later, he played for Watford, scoring 5 out of 12 games , then  eventually went back to Middlesborough before going to Manchester City. The allegation leaves a sour taste in our mouths, though we will all have to wait and see what happens at trial.