Football fans were left in shock today after it emerged that Sunderland footballer Adam Johnson had been charged with three counts of sexual activity with a child under the age of 16.
The 27-year-old was also charged with grooming.
Johnson was arrested at the beginning of March, just weeks after his long term girlfriend Stacey Flounders gave birth to their first child.
The identity of the youngster has been kept anonymous due to legal reasons, but it was understood that she was 15-years-old at the time that the alleged crimes took place.
A police spokesman released a statement today confirming the news, reading: “Adam Johnson, a professional footballer aged 27 from County Durham, has this afternoon been charged with three offences of sexual activity with a child under 16 years old, plus one offence of grooming.
“Johnson was initially arrested on March 2 and was charged after he answered his police bail today at Peterlee police station. He will appear the magistrates’ court in Peterlee on the morning of May 20.”
Chief Crown Prosecutor for North East, Gerry Wareham, also said earlier today: “Following an investigation by Durham Police, I have today authorised police to charge Adam Johnson, aged 27, with four offences under the Sexual Offences Act 2003. The offences are alleged to have been committed on one girl aged 15 at the time.”