The NSPCC has slammed Adam Johnson’s actions as “predatory” and “cynical” after the ex Sunderland and England footballer was found guilty of sexual activity with an under-age girl.
A senior psychologist has also said that Johnson’s refusal to admit his guilt from the outset has prolonged the suffering of his victim, hindering her rehabilitation in the process.
Johnson, 28, admitted to kissing the 15-year-old girl in his Range Rover in County Durham. He was also found guilty of one count of sexual activity, while being acquitted of another.
An NSPCC spokesperson said of the footballer’s actions: “Adam Johnson cynically used his celebrity status as a professional footballer to groom and sexually abuse an impressionable schoolgirl.
“Even though he was fully aware of her age, he continued the relationship without any concern for the profound and damaging impact it might have on her.
“His behaviour throughout was inexcusable, made even worse by the fact his not guilty pleas forced his young victim to suffer the harrowing experience of giving evidence in court.
“We hope she gets the appropriate help to recover from this dreadful episode and Johnson takes the time to reflect on how his predatory actions have caused so much anguish.”
The children’s charity was damning about the impact of the defendant’s not-guilty plea, which forced the victim to give evidence in the trial over video link.
Dr Patricia Ross, Lead Consultant Clinical Psychologist, heading the child trauma unit at the NHS Foundation Trust said: “If the alleged perpetrator pleads guilty when arrested or at an early court appearance, the young person needn’t give evidence so they can, to a degree, concentrate on recovery.
“The experience of attending court, listening to the recording of their original evidence and being rigorously questioned regarding it is harrowing in the extreme.
“Children report this as re-traumatising as it brings back, in a very vivid way, the experience of the original offence.
“Having to give evidence can delay the onset of the appropriate mental health support in some cases. It can also give rise to a much more complex and severe post traumatic presentation.”
The NSPCC also believes that Sunderland Football Club could have done much more to condemn the player’s actions.
A spokesperson for the NSPCC said: “If they had known he had kissed a girl prior to his guilty plea, then we think they should have suspended him pending the ongoing investigation.
“It would have sent the right message to people that this is a serious offence and needed to be properly investigated.”
Johnson was suspended by Sunderland after his initial arrest on March 2 last year but went on to make another 28 appearances for the Black Cats after his ban was lifted on the advice of a legal team and the Professional Footballers’ Association.
Club bosses were horrified on the first day of Johnson’s trial as he entered his guilty plea, throwing out any suggestion that it was pre-agreed as “utterly without foundation and refuted in the strongest possible terms”. They sacked him hours later.
The club has since released a statement, which said: “There was absolutely no suggestion that the plea would change before the trial. Johnson later admitted in evidence that he changed his plea on legal advice.
“Had the club known that Mr. Johnson intended to plead guilty to any of these charges, then his employment would have been terminated immediately.
“The victim and her family have endured an unimaginable ordeal in the last 12 months and we trust that they will now be allowed to move on with their lives without further intrusion or public scrutiny.”
A statement was made by a police officer on behalf of the victim after the trial, which described how she had felt “used and let down” and the torrent of online abuse that had followed her for 12 months.
The statement read: “I have had to face so much abuse after he claimed his innocence and I was made out to be a liar.
“What happened in his car has turned my life upside down, I have lost all of my confidence and my schoolwork has suffered.”
Statement from Sunderland AFC:
To respect the legal process, Sunderland AFC was unable to comment on this case until after the jury had delivered its verdict. It has now done so and we thank our supporters for their patience and understanding. We now wish to clarify certain matters which arose during the trial.
Mr. Johnson was suspended by the club immediately following his arrest on March 2, 2015. At that time, the club was advised by police of the broad nature of the allegations against Mr. Johnson, who was being advised at all times by his own legal team. The club felt that the decision to suspend was appropriate at that time, even though he had not then been charged with any offence. Two weeks later, his suspension was lifted after a meeting between the club and the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA), and after the club took independent legal advice. The club reached this decision only after carrying out a safeguarding assessment and liaising with relevant agencies.
On 23 April 2015, Mr. Johnson was charged with four offences. The club was informed that it was Mr. Johnson’s intention to defend all the charges, a stance he maintained right up until the first day of trial. The club continued to review the safeguarding procedures it had put in place throughout this time.
On 4 May 2015, an introductory meeting took place between Mr. Johnson, his father and Orlando Pownall QC. Mr. Pownall had not previously met Mr. Johnson. The club’s CEO was present during part of that meeting. During the time that she was present there was no suggestion whatsoever that Mr. Johnson would be changing his plea. Some documents were received relating to the case, which were immediately sent to Mr. Pownall for his attention. However, the club was not in a position to make any judgment on the outcome of the case nor on Mr. Johnson’s decision to defend all the allegations. Following that meeting, Mr. Johnson again confirmed to the club, presumably on advice from his own legal team, that his intention was to defend the charges in their entirety and he was confident of success once all evidence had been considered. He subsequently entered not guilty pleas to all charges on 6 June 2015.
The club did not give evidence either for the prosecution or the defence in this case. It was therefore not present in court when it is understood that a suggestion was made that the club knew all along that Mr. Johnson was intending to change his plea just before trial to enable him to continue to play football for the club and that the club may also have been involved in tactical discussions about the plea. This is utterly without foundation and is refuted in the strongest possible terms. The club never placed any pressure or demands on Mr. Johnson to play football during this process. Decisions in relation to the pleas and the conduct of the trial have been left entirely to Mr. Johnson and his highly experienced and skilled legal team. Mr. Johnson has admitted in evidence that he changed his plea “on legal advice”.
The club only became aware of the change of plea, in relation to two of the four counts on the indictment, on the first day of the trial, after hearing it reported through the media. The club was not advised in advance that Mr. Johnson would plead guilty to any offence. Had the club known that Mr. Johnson intended to plead guilty to any of these charges, then his employment would have been terminated immediately. Indeed, upon learning of the guilty plea on 11 February 2016, the club acted quickly and decisively in terminating Adam Johnson’s contract without notice.
This has been an extremely difficult time for all involved. The victim and her family have endured an unimaginable ordeal in the last 12 months and we trust that they will now be allowed to move on with their lives without further intrusion or public scrutiny.
Following the announcement of today’s verdict and the release of this detailed statement, the club intends to make no further comment.
The NSPCC aims to help protect children from abuse through its Speak Out Stay Safe campaign. Victims are urged to call ChildLine on 0800 1111.