Adam Johnson charged with sexual activity with a child

Court date: Premier League winger Johnson (centre) will appear at Peterlee Magistrates’ Court on May 20

Footballer Adam Johnson was today charged with three offences of sexual activity with a child under 16 and one of grooming.

The 27-year-old Sunderland star, who was initially suspended and then reinstated by the club following the allegations, attended Peterlee police station in County Durham earlier Thursday, reports dailymail.

The Premier League winger was arrested at his mansion on March 2. Durham Police had previously extended his bail for five weeks.

A force spokesman said: ‘Adam Johnson, a professional footballer aged 27 from County Durham, has this afternoon been charged with three offences of sexual activity with a child under 16 years old, plus one offence of grooming.

‘Johnson was initially arrested on March 2 and was charged after he answered his police bail today at Peterlee police station. He will appear the magistrates’ court in Peterlee on the morning of May 20.’

The offences alleged to have been committed by Johnson - whose long-time girlfriend Stacey Flounders gave birth to a daughter in January - date from last December to this February.

Gerry Wareham, 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. The offences are alleged to have been committed on one girl aged 15 at the time.’ 

Home: The Premier League winger was arrested at his mansion (pictured) in County Durham on March 2

Winger: Johnson (above, on April 5) has made 31 appearances for Sunderland this season, scoring five goals

Mr Wareham added that Johnson 'has a right to a fair trial' and that 'the complainant in this case is entitled to lifelong anonymity under the law'.

Johnson has made 31 appearances for Sunderland this season, scoring five goals. In total he has netted 20 times in 116 games for the club, including the winner at Newcastle in December’s derby.

Born in Sunderland, Johnson - who has has played 12 times for England - began his career at Middlesbrough before moving to Manchester City and then Sunderland for £10million in 2012.

Sunderland have not yet confirmed if the player will still be available for selection, with the club's next match in the Premier League taking place at Stoke City's Britannia Stadium this Saturday.

His team are currently 16th in the Premier League - and only a point above the relegation zone.

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Adam Johnson began his career at Middlesbrough, where he made his debut in a Uefa Cup game in 2005, aged just 17.

Almost six months later, he turned out for the first time in the Premier League, taking part in a 2-1 home win against Arsenal.

He was loaned out to Leeds United then Watford, scoring 12 goals in his three-month stay at the Hertfordshire club.

On his return to Middlesbrough, he again showed strong form, then made a £7million move to Manchester City in February 2010.

In three seasons at the Etihad Stadium, the speedy winger made 97 appearances, helping win the Barclays Premier League, FA Cup and Community Shield.

In August 2012 he moved back to his native North East, to Sunderland, in a £10million deal, and highlights of his time there have included a hat-trick on January 11 last year in a 4-1 away win over Fulham.

He said after taking the match ball as a memento: ‘These days don't come along too often unless you're Messi or Ronaldo, so it was nice for me to get that ball as a souvenir to look back on.

‘This is up there with one of my best days of my career along with playing for England, scoring for England.’

He was awarded the Barclays Player of the Month award that month.

The 27-year-old has represented England at under-19 and under-21 level, and at senior level 12 times, the last of them in a friendly victory over Italy in August 2012.

He has struggled to reproduce his best form on a sustained basis at Sunderland, but endeared himself to the fans with goals in each of the club's three derby victories at Newcastle in as many seasons, including a late winner at St James' Park on December 21 last year.