Johnson: I was stupid to kiss 15-year-old

ENGLAND footballer Adam Johnson admitted to police that he kissed a 15year-old girl in his car, telling officers he was “stupid” and he “should have known better”, a jury has heard.

An interview conducted with the 28year-old former Sunderland winger after his arrest was read out at his trial at Bradford Crown Court.

In it, Johnson agreed he had met the girl on Jan 30 last year after they talked on WhatsApp about a “thank-you kiss” for him signing football shirts. “She came into the car and she said about a thank you kiss,” he said. “It was just like a normal kiss. Just how you would kiss someone.”

Johnson told the police it was not passionate but did involve tongues.

The footballer told the detectives: “I knew it was wrong. I have a girlfriend for one. Lots of reasons. I’ve got a family, a career... I should have known better.” He repeatedly denied more serious sexual conduct had taken place.

The interviewing officer, Det Con Kimberley Walton, asked the footballer why, when he was arrested, he told his girlfriend, Stacey Flounders, the teenager told him she was 16. Johnson said he was just trying to keep the truth from Miss Flounders and he was not trying to deceive the police.

The jury was also handed a series of images of Johnson’s “groin area”. Prosecutor Kate Blackwell QC said the pictures had been downloaded from Johnson’s iPhone.

The player has pleaded guilty to one count of grooming the teenager and another of sexual activity with a child. He denies two further counts of sexual activity with a child. The trial was adjourned until Monday.