Off the wire
• Chinese-built highway opens in Jamaica  • Blatter plans to attend 2018 FIFA World Cup finals  • Resignation of Belgian ministers rejected  • China beat Maldives 4-0 to keep 2018 FIFA World Cup hope alive  • Myanmar's trade deficit increases in 2015-2016 fiscal year  • Across China: A captain's life on Mekong River  • Roundup: Tax support for SMEs, cap on income tax relief for individuals: S'pore Budget 2016  • Feature: River Thames needs help from river volunteers  • Premier Li underscores global cooperation while meeting entrepreneurs at Boao  • Suspect arrested after 2 women killed in Redcar, England  
You are here: 　 Home

Former England footballer Johnson jailed for six years

Xinhua, March 24, 2016 Adjust font size:

Former England international Adam Johnson has been jailed for six years for grooming and sexual activity with a girl aged 15, the BBC said on Thursday.

Sentencing the former Sunderland player, Judge Jonathan Rose told him he had abused a position of trust and caused his victim "severe psychological harm".

The judge told Johnson, 28, he had engaged in sexual activity with her knowing she was under 16.

Bradford Crown Court heard the sexual abuse happened in the footballer's Range Rover last January.

Judge Rose told the footballer, who played 12 times for England, that the girl had "suffered threats and thousands of abusive remarks" on social media.

Judge Rose told Johnson there had been "an abuse of trust - you are trusted by young fans to behave properly".

He said: "She had only just turned 15 when you began grooming her, because, as you were to admit, you found her sexually attractive." Enditem