Adam Johnson has been sentenced to six years in prison today after being found guilty of sexual activity with a child. The former Sunderland winger faced a maximum of a ten year sentence and, after Judge Jonathan Rose made it clear that Johnson needed to prepare himself for at least five years behind bars, the final verdict arrived shortly after one o'clock today.
The sentencing began earlier today with submissions from both the prosecution and the defence. A victim impact statement was read out in court in which the now 16 year old girl described continued bullying in school as a result of the case. The significant 'psychological harm' that was added to her ordeal was addressed before the defence outlined the need for a 'proportionate' sentence.
Counsel for Johnson, Orlando Pownall QC, outlined how the former Sunderland winger has 'lost a lucrative career he will never be able to retrieve' after being found guilty earlier this month. Pownall then also revealed that Johnson has already been stripped of his 12 England caps.
Apparently, the official record will state that Johnson never played for England.
Does supposed FA stance on Adam Johnson losing his 12 caps apply to all internationals with convictions? Does Graham Rix now lose his 17?
— Richard Conway (@richard_conway) March 24, 2016
Johnson played 12 times for England between 2010 and 2012, scoring two goals. Both his goals arrived in Euro 2012 qualifiers. He scored in a 4-0 win against Bulgaria on 3 September 2010 and a 3-1 win over Switzerland four days later.
The FA's policy of rewriting history on the matter is being greeted with scepticism. It is unknown whether they will seek to change the results of the Bulgaria and Switzerland games.
Or whether they will airbrush the team photos from those games.
Read more: It's Happened: A Facebook Page Has Emerged In Support Of Adam Johnson
