Johnson admits child sex offences

ADAM JOHNSON, the Sunderland and England footballer, could face more than two years in prison after pleading guilty to two child sex offences involving a 15-year-old girl.

The Premier League star, who has 12 England caps, changed his original plea at Bradford Crown Court last week.

The 28-year-old pleaded guilty to one count of grooming the teenager and one count of kissing her in a sexual manner. But he continued to deny two further alleged offences involving the same girl, and will now stand trial.

Johnson, from Castle Eden, Co Durham, was supported by his girlfriend Stacey Flounders, 26, and his father.

His barrister, Orlando Pownall QC, indicated that Johnson wanted the first two counts on the indictment to be put to him again.

When asked how he pleaded, the player replied, “guilty”. The offences were alleged to have taken place in January and February last year. Sunderland later said it had sacked the £50,000-a-week player.