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Footballer Adam Johnson has been accused of sexual activity with a child. Peter Byrne
Verdict

Adam Johnson found guilty of one count of sexual activity with child

The former Sunderland player had been earlier been found not guilty of a similar charge.

Updated at 16.45

ADAM JOHNSON IS facing up to 10 years in prison after being found guilty of one count of sexual activity with a child, having earlier been found not guilty of a similar additional charge.

The former Sunderland player has been on trial at Bradford Crown Court after being arrested originally on 2 March 2015 following allegations of a relationship with a 15-year-old Sunderland supporter.

After two weeks of evidence and over nine hours of deliberation, the jury decided that the England international was guilty of a charge relating to sexual touching having come to a majority verdict of 10-2.

Judge Jonathan Rose had previously requested the jury come to a unanimous verdict before allowing a majority in the aftermath of Johnson being found not guilty of a further count related to a sexual act being performed on him.

The 28-year-old will be sentenced in two to three weeks, with the judge telling him a custodial sentence is an “almost inevitable outcome” and he will face five to 10 years in prison.

On the first day of the trial, Johnson pleaded guilty to grooming and one count of sexual activity with a child.

This led to Sunderland terminating the player’s contract with the club having previously stood by him when the arrest was first made.

In a short statement the club said: “In light of Adam Johnson’s guilty pleas, the club has today terminated his contract with immediate effect.”

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