JOHNSON CRISIS

Star’s future at Sunderland in doubt after sex charges

SUNDERLAND were under pressure last night to suspend england star adam Johnson after he was charged with grooming and three counts of sexual activity with a 15-year-old girl.

Johnson, 27, has been bailed to appear before Peterlee magistrates on may 20 — the same day sunderland travel to arsenal — where it is expected the case will be sent to the Crown Court. If found guilty, Johnson faces a lengthy prison term.

sunderland chiefs held talks last night to decide Johnson’s future, knowing that if they suspend their top scorer he would miss the club’s remaining six games. they are just a point above the Barclays Premier League drop zone and travel to stoke tomorrow.

Johnson was suspended by the club after his arrest on march 2 but that was lifted when his bail was extended by five weeks a fortnight later.

He returned to training under new boss Dick advocaat and has featured as a substitute in sunderland’s last three matches, including the 1-0 derby win over Newcastle. the suspension could now be reimposed.

Johnson is accused of three offences of sexual activity with a child, contrary to

TURN TO PAGE 92, COL 3

Section 9 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003. The offences are alleged to have taken place between December 30 last year and February 26. Johnson has also been charged with meeting a child following sexual grooming under Section 15 of the same Act. Gerry Wareham, CPS 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. We have reviewed the available evidence in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors and concluded that there is a realistic alistic prospect of conviction and it is in the public interest to charge Adam Johnson. ‘Durham Police have chargedd the defendant accordingly and he is due to appear before Peterlee Magistrates on May 20. It is important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could prejudice these proceedings. The complainant nt in this case is entitled to lifelongong anonymity under the law.’