After fourteen days of evidence in which Adam Johnson defended himself against two counts of sexual activity with a 15 year old girl, the jury has returned with a verdict. On one of those counts they have found Johnson not guilty and on another, they have found the former Sunderland midfielder guilty with a custodial sentence looking increasingly likely for the 28 year old.
Breaking: Adam Johnson found NOT guilty on one count of sexual activity with a child. Undecided on other count.
— Josh Halliday (@JoshHalliday) March 2, 2016
Adam Johnson was found not guilty of one count of sexual activity with a child, specifically that the girl performed oral sex on him.
— Josh Halliday (@JoshHalliday) March 2, 2016
In summing up the evidence yesterday, Judge Jonathan Rose had yesterday told the jury that they had to strive to reach a unanimous verdict on both charges with the rather quotable 'I will only accept unanimous verdicts - 12-0 is the only possible score'.
Having acquitted Johnson of one charge, the jury were unable to come to a unanimous decision on the other and the judge had told them that he will now accept a majority decision on that count. They soon returned with a final verdict.
Adam Johnson told by judge a custodial sentence is an "almost inevitable outcome" after being found guilty of sexual activity with a child
— Josh Halliday (@JoshHalliday) March 2, 2016
Johnson had already pleaded guilty to one count of sexual activity, namely kissing, as well as grooming the 15 year old. And the judge has since stated that Johnson is facing up to ten years in prison with a minimum expected sentence of four years.
More to follow.
