Adam Johnson, this is no longer a story about a foolish footballer, this is now a story about a disgraced paedophile.
Johnson, who has 12 caps for England, arrived back at Bradford Crown Court today, as the true extent of what the former Sunderland winger got up to was revealed.
Signed shirts, snapchats and text messages were all part of the disgraced footballer’s grooming process, with the Guardian’s, Josh Halliday, revealing the unsettling and disturbing ins and outs of Johnson’s crime.
We advise proceeding ahead with caution, it’s pretty shocking stuff.
Adam Johnson sat with hands folded in the dock, his girlfriend Stacey Flounders sat next to his dad in the public gallery out of his eyeshot
— Josh Halliday (@JoshHalliday) February 12, 2016
Adam Johnson trial: Prosecutor Kate Blackwell QC tells jurors he showed a "sexual desire" for 15 year old girl he met at Sunderland AFC
— Josh Halliday (@JoshHalliday) February 12, 2016
Johnson decided to act in a way he knew was both morally and legally wrong – knowing she was under age of consent, court told
— Josh Halliday (@JoshHalliday) February 12, 2016
The girl was Sunderland season ticket holder. Her favourite player was Adam Johnson. She waited after games for a photo with him, jury told
— Josh Halliday (@JoshHalliday) February 12, 2016
"She had an enormous crush on him. He was her absolute hero. She idolised him," prosecutor says of Adam Johnson girl, 15
— Josh Halliday (@JoshHalliday) February 12, 2016
She sent Adam Johnson a Facebook friend request. He accepted and then messaged her asking for her mobile number, jury told.
— Josh Halliday (@JoshHalliday) February 12, 2016
Johnson proved who he was by posting "Happy New Year" on his Twitter account. They swapped numbers and started talking on Whatsapp.
— Josh Halliday (@JoshHalliday) February 12, 2016
Despite Johnson asking her to delete all contact between them, she hadn't done so. She was "thrilled" to be talking to her hero, jury told.
— Josh Halliday (@JoshHalliday) February 12, 2016
Adam Johnson text to girl: "You in the last year of school?" Girl: "Year 10. Will you still send me a signed shirt?"
— Josh Halliday (@JoshHalliday) February 12, 2016
"When you 16?" Johnson asked schoolgirl on New Years Eve 2014. "November," she replied.
— Josh Halliday (@JoshHalliday) February 12, 2016
Johnson: "Where do you go out?"
Girl, 15: "I'm not old enough to go out."
Johnson: "Yeah but you look old enough."— Josh Halliday (@JoshHalliday) February 12, 2016
Johnson asked what time to meet to give her a signed SAFC shirt. She said: "Afternoon. I'm having a lie in on my last day off school"
— Josh Halliday (@JoshHalliday) February 12, 2016
Johnson texts the girl to ask if she'll sit in his car for a bit. "Though you might be too shy to sit in," he said
— Josh Halliday (@JoshHalliday) February 12, 2016
She said she wasn't forward. Johnson: "Ah right. You're not forward? You gonna be forward with me?"
— Josh Halliday (@JoshHalliday) February 12, 2016
Talking about meeting up, Johnson tells her: "I will defo have to be dark"
— Josh Halliday (@JoshHalliday) February 12, 2016
First meeting between Johnson and the girl was on 17 Jan 2015 – 18 days after they began texting – behind a Chinese takeaway in C. Durham
— Josh Halliday (@JoshHalliday) February 12, 2016
The girl got in his black Range Rover. He put on interior light, got out a football shirt and signed it. They talked football.
— Josh Halliday (@JoshHalliday) February 12, 2016
The whole meeting lasted 15 minutes, court told, after which he dropped her off to meet a friend.
— Josh Halliday (@JoshHalliday) February 12, 2016
The girl later text Johnson to thank him for the shirt. "No problems. You owe me lol," he replied
— Josh Halliday (@JoshHalliday) February 12, 2016
"Thought I would've got a thank you kiss for the shirt," Johnson text the girl. They then talk about meeting again.
— Josh Halliday (@JoshHalliday) February 12, 2016
On 27 Jan the girl texted Johnson to say she still needed to say "thank you" for the shirt. He replied that he was looking forward to it.
— Josh Halliday (@JoshHalliday) February 12, 2016
Johnson: "Am in only getting a kiss?"
Girl: "Depends what else you're after"
AJ: "Depends what you're up for -a little bit more than a kiss"— Josh Halliday (@JoshHalliday) February 12, 2016
They meet again on 30 Dec, court told, in his car behind same takeaway. Sexual activity took place, prosecution say.
— Josh Halliday (@JoshHalliday) February 12, 2016
After sexual activity in the car park, Johnson text her to say: "Wasn't bad was it? Lol"
— Josh Halliday (@JoshHalliday) February 12, 2016
Johnson went on to tell her: "Was class. Just wanted to get ya jeans off lol"
Girl: "Next time haha"
AJ: "I will last 10 seconds tho lol"— Josh Halliday (@JoshHalliday) February 12, 2016
Later the girl asks Johnson to download Snapchat, so he does. "I was looking forward to a naughty Snapchat there lol," he text her
— Josh Halliday (@JoshHalliday) February 12, 2016
Jury told that Johnson set up a new Snapchat account to message the girl so his girlfriend wouldn't see his 'top friends'
— Josh Halliday (@JoshHalliday) February 12, 2016
Johnson searched internet for "legal age of consent" on 3 Feb, days after alleged sexual activity with 15 year old girl, court told
— Josh Halliday (@JoshHalliday) February 12, 2016
