Former England footballer Adam Johnson loses appeal against conviction

Ex-footballer Adam Johnson has lost an appeal against his conviction for sexual activity with a 15-year-old fan. The former England player challenged his six-year jail term and conviction for sexual activity with the teenager. His application to appeal was rejected by three judges at the Court of Appeal where his bid for a reduction in his prison sentence was also dismissed. The former Sunderland player was refused leave to appeal last July but launched a second bid.

[Johnson took advantage of a] “young teenager’s adoration of a successful celebrity

Judge Rose, jailing Adam Johnson in 2016

Johnson, 29, admitted one charge of sexual activity with a child at the start of his trial at Bradford Crown Court which was relating to kissing her. He also admitted a charge of meeting a child with intent following grooming her. He denied any further sexual activity took place in his Range Rover when he met her in County Durham in 2015. But the former player who has also played for Manchester City was found guilty by a jury in March last year of one offence of sexual activity with a child.

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