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Adam Johnson trial: Jury sent out to consider verdict

Johnson denies two counts of sexual activity with the 15-year-old girl

Samuel Osborne
Tuesday 01 March 2016 14:31 GMT
Former Sunderland footballer Adam Johnson arrives at Bradford Crown Court in Bradford, northern England, on 6 March, 2016
Former Sunderland footballer Adam Johnson arrives at Bradford Crown Court in Bradford, northern England, on 6 March, 2016 (PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images)

The Judge in the trial of footballer Adam Johnson told jurors "12-0 is the only possible score," saying he could only accept a unanimous verdict.

The jurors have now retired to consider their verdict on two counts of sexual activity with a 15-year-old girl.

The England Midfielder pleaded guilty to grooming the girl and one charge of sexual activity on the first day of his trial.

Johnson denies two more serious counts of sexual activity with a child.

He denies he and the teenager performed sex acts on each other in his Range Rover in January last year.

England footballer Adam Johnson, 28, arrives with partner Stacey Flounders at Bradford Crown Court, Bradford, where he will go on trial accused of sexual activity with a child
England footballer Adam Johnson, 28, arrives with partner Stacey Flounders at Bradford Crown Court, Bradford, where he will go on trial accused of sexual activity with a child (Press Association)

The 28-year-old admits kissing the teenager, but told the jury the encounter "went no further".

The girl told the court he "put his hands down her pants" and she performed oral sex on him.

The footballer was sacked by Sunderland in February, after pleading guilty to child sex offences.

Judge Jonathan Rose reminded jurors Johnson had admitted lying on eight occasions, but said "lies alone cannot prove a case" and the jury must not assume guilt because he lied.

Judge Rose told the jury they must reach a unanimous verdict.

He said: "When you retire, you must reach verdicts on which you are all agreed.

"I can only accept unanimous verdicts in this case, 12-0 is the only possible score."

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