Sunderland and England midfielder Adam Johnson has pleaded guilty to one count of sexual activity with a child and one of grooming.
In the docks
The 28-year-old appeared before Bradford Crown Court on Wednesday morning where he changed his original plea to admit to the offences, but denied two further charges of sexual activity with a girl aged under 16 (who cannot be named due to legal reasons).
Johnson was originally arrested in March 2015 at his home in Castle Eden after a month of investigation by the Durham Constabulary.
The charges that Johnson has admitted to could see him get a maximum sentence of two and a half years imprisonment and spell the end of his footballing career.
His initial arrest saw him suspended by the football club before he was reinstated by club bosses, with his latest appearance coming last Saturday. It was an effective display too, with him coming on as a substitute in the 2-2 draw with Liverpool and scoring the Black Cats’ first goal at Anfield.
Born in Sunderland, Johnson began his career at local rivals Middlesbrough with impressive displays resulting in the move to the high-flying Manchester City. He then made the move back to Wearside for £10 million in 2012.
Six men and women have been selected to sit on the jury for the upcoming trial. Judge Jonathan Rose told them that, with Johnson a professional footballer, they may read about the case in the press. However, he urged them to "only try the defendant on the evidence that they hear in the court".
Judge Rose added that the jurors may see “reference to this in the press” but pleaded that it is the “evidence in court that [they] will gather”.
Johnson’s trial is set to begin this Friday, 12 February, at Bradford Crown Court and is expected to last 10 days.