Former England footballer Adam Johnson has been sentenced for six years of prison after being found guilty for engaging in sexual activity with his 15-year-old fan. The girl is said to have suffered severe psychological harm.
Judge Jonathan Rose said the 28-year-old man had taken advantage of the teenager’s adoration of a successful celebrity.
The former Sunderland and Manchester City winger showed no emotion hearing the verdict while standing in the dock at Bradford Crown Court. He looked straight ahead.
Parents of the girl, Sonia and Dave, didn’t show any emotion too listening the sentence. They were sitting in the front row of public gallery of packed courtroom.
The Judge repeated how to player had kissed and sexually touched the teenager last year on January 30 in Range Rover car in County Durham.
The Judge cited what the player had said to a psychiatrist earlier. He said had treated the girl like any other he had met and had put her age out of his mind. The girl was attractive and he was sexually interested in just getting another opportunity.
Johnson had given her signed football shirt when the two met first time. He asked for his “thank you kiss” when both met again.
The Judge added that the teenager has suffered severe psychological harm and this is taken into account while sentencing. The status and standing of the player had caused sadness, anger and confusion in the young girl.