Black Cats quiet on Johnson charge
Sunderland are yet to comment on the news that winger Adam Johnson has been charged with three offences of sexual activity with a child under 16 and one of grooming.
The 27-year-old England international was charged on Thursday after answering bail at Peterlee Police Station, and is due to appear at the County Durham town’s Magistrates’ Court on May 20, the day the Black Cats are due to face Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
Johnson, a £10m signing from Manchester City, was initially suspended by the club following his arrest at his Castle Eden home in March, but later allowed to resume while the investigation continued.
The news came 48 hours ahead of the Black Cats’ crucial Barclays Premier League trip to Stoke on a weekend which could see the club drop into the Barclays Premier League relegation zone unless they can add to their points tally of just 29.
Johnson, a product of Middlesbrough’s academy before his big-money move to the Etihad Stadium, has made only three appearances since his arrest – all as a substitute.
It remains to be seen whether or not he will continue to be included in Dick Advocaat’s squad.
He was charged after 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.
He 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. The offences are alleged to have been committed on one girl aged 15 at the time.
“Adam Johnson was arrested on 2 March this year.
”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 Offence Act 2003. The alleged offences 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.“
