Premier League footballer Adam Johnson has been
charged with three offences of sexual activity with a child under 16 and
one of grooming.
The 27-year-old Sunderland player was charged with the
offences, allegedly committed between 30 December 2014 and 26 February
2015, when he attended a police station to answer bail.He was originally arrested and questioned over the claims in March and will appear at Peterlee
Magistrates' Court in County Durham next month.
Gerry Wareham, CPS Chief Crown Prosecutor for the North East, said: "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.
"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 offence of meeting a child following sexual grooming, contrary to Section 15 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 and three offences of sexual activity with a child, contrary to Section 9 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003.
"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."
Johnson cost the Wearside club £10m when he joined in 2012 and he has scored 17 goals for them.
Born in Sunderland, he has represented his country and has also played for Middlesbrough and Manchester City.
He has 12 caps for England, the last of which came in 2012, and has scored two goals for his country.
Following his arrest last month, he was taken out of the Sunderland side, but returned to the squad under new manager Dick Advocaat and made a substitute appearance against local rivals Newcastle United.
Source: Sky News
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