Adam Johnson pleads not guilty to child sex charges

A date is now to be set for the Sunderland winger to stand trial

England and Sunderland footballer Adam Johnson (right) arrives at Durham Crown Court where he pleaded not guilty to three counts of sexual activity with a girl under 16 and one of grooming (PA)

The footballer Adam Johnson has pleaded not guilty to four counts of sexual activity with a child and one count of child grooming.

The Sunderland player attended Durham Crown Court to deliver his plea.

Johnson, 27, was arrested in March after he was accused of sexual activity with a 15-year old girl, to whom all four charges relate.

The three counts of sexual activity with a child were said to have taken place on one night in January at two locations in County Durham, while the meeting of a child after sexual grooming offence was said to have happened between December and February.

Johnson’s trial has been set for 21 September at Durham Crown Court.