Ex-England footballer Adam Johnson has been jailed for six years for engaging in sexual activity with a 15-year-old.
Johnson , 28, was sentenced at Bradford Crown Court and told he must serve a minimum of three years in prison after being found guilty of sexual activity with the girl, a Sunderland fan, in his Range Rover in County Durham in January 2015.
The court heard how Johnson, whose sister, Faye, and girlfriend, Stacey Flounders, were not present at the sentencing, felt he had a "right to sex," and that his victim now suffers from night terrors and requires therapy.
Kate Blackwell, prosecuting, had called for the former Sunderland footballer, who has also been stripped of his 12 England caps, to be jailed for up to ten years for a "calculated, considered and carefully-orchestrated" crime. He will appeal the conviction.
Orlando Pownall QC, Johnson's defense barrister, asked the presiding Judge Jonathan Rose to show mercy, claiming Johnson had been punished by "losing a career he will never be able to retrieve."
But Judge Rose told Johnson, who had previously admitted grooming and one charge of sexual activity, that the girl had suffered "severe psychological harm."
"She had only just turned 15 when you began grooming her, because, as you were to admit, you found her sexually attractive," Judge Rose told the footballer, who began his career with Middlesbrough before moving to Manchester City and then Sunderland.
Sunderland sacked Johnson in February, the day after he pleaded guilty at Bradford Crown Court to one charge of grooming and another of sexual activity.
He was suspended following his arrest in March 2015 but was permitted to continue his career while his case was ongoing.
Johnson was also ordered to pay £50,000 towards the prosecution's costs of £67,132.
Faye Johnson has launched a Facebook page, "Adam Johnson's Appeal Fight." A post published on Thursday morning explained that Johnson's sister could not be in court for his sentencing because she "did not want him to see the pain in my eyes."
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