Sunderland's Johnson charged with alleged sexual offenses with minor
DURHAM, England --
Police say Sunderland winger Adam Johnson has been charged with three alleged offenses of sexual activity with a girl under the age of 16 and one of grooming.
A statement from Durham police in northeast England says Johnson was charged after answering bail on Thursday. He is due to appear before magistrates on May 20.
The 27-year-old Johnson, who has played 12 times for England, was arrested on March 2 for offenses that are alleged to have taken place from Dec. 30 last year to Feb. 26. Public prosecutors say there is a ''realistic prospect of conviction'' of Johnson, who is charged with ''meeting a child following sexual grooming'' and ''three offenses of sexual activity with a child'' who was 15 at the time.
Johnson last played for England in August 2012.
Gerry Wareham, CPS Chief Crown Prosecutor for the North East, said he believed there was a realistic prospect of conviction and it was in the public interest for him to be charged.
"Following an investigation by Durham Police, I have today authorized police to charge Adam Johnson, aged 27, with four offenses under the Sexual Offenses Act 2003. The offenses are alleged to have been committed on one girl aged 15 at the time," he said. "Adam Johnson was arrested on 2 March this year."
He added: "We have reviewed the available evidence in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors and concluded that there is a realistic prospect of conviction and it is in the public interest to charge Adam Johnson with one offense of meeting a child following sexual grooming, contrary to Section 15 of the Sexual Offenses Act 2003 and three offenses of sexual activity with a child, contrary to Section 9 of the Sexual Offense Act 2003. The alleged offenses date from 30 December 2014 to 26 February 2015.
"Durham Police have charged the defendant accordingly and he is due to appear before Peterlee Magistrates on 20 May. May I remind all concerned that the defendant has a right to a fair trial. It is very important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.
"I would also remind people that the complainant in this case is entitled to lifelong anonymity under the law. For these reasons, it would be inappropriate for me to comment further."
FOXSoccer.com's newswire services contributed to this report.
