Sunderland winger Adam Johnson has formally been charged with three counts of sexual activity with a 15-year-old girl, the Daily Mail reports.
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The England international was initially arrested on March 2, but was released on bail and even made a return to the Sunderland first team during that time after his suspension was lifted by the club upon hearing his bail had been extended.
He has also been charged with one offence of grooming when he answered bail at a Durham police station on Thursday afternoon.
The 27-year-old will now appear at Peterlee Magistrates’ Court on May 20 after Gerry Wareham of the Crown Prosecution Service gave police the green light to slap him with the charges based on the Sexual Offences Act of 2003.
Wareham said that the offences occurred with a single victim between he dates of 30 December 2014 and February 26 of this year.
“May I remind all concerned that the defendant has a right to a fair trial,” he said.
“It is very important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.
“I would also remind people that the complainant in this case is entitled to lifelong anonymity under the law. For these reasons, it would be inappropriate for me to comment further.”
It is as far unsure as to whether his suspension with the club will be reinstated.
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