Adam Johnson trial: England footballer's world 'turned upside down' after arrest

"Upside down": Adam Johnson told a court how he panicked when he was arrested for sexual activity with a 15-year-old girl
Peter Byrne/PA
Jamie Bullen23 February 2016

England footballer Adam Johnson told a court his world “turned upside down” when he was arrested for sexual activity with a 15-year-old girl.

The ex-Sunderland winger said he “panicked” and was “in turmoil” when he was being interviewed by police following his arrest in March last year.

Johnson, 28, told Bradford Crown Court he admitted kissing the girl in his Range Rover but said he tried to “play it down”.

The court previously heard the pair exchanged phone numbers and messages for several weeks before they met in January last year for Johnson to sign a Sunderland shirt.

Johnson said WhatsApp messages became “flirty” and "inappropriate" before a second meeting on January 30.

He has admitted grooming and kissing the girl in his car but denies two counts of further sexual activity.

Johnson told the court: "My world had got turned upside down and I was trying to play it down as much as I could."

When asked by Orlando Pownall QC, defending, about what state he was in during his first interview, he said: "I was panicking. I had all these thoughts going through my mind about everything.

“To name a couple, my career, my family, I was in turmoil."

Johnson said he was "surprised" that the teenage girl had told police that further sexual activity had taken place.

He said: "I couldn't believe the things she was saying to police. I felt like someone else was telling her to say these things."

He told the court that he did not try to feel her breasts or put his hands underneath her t-shirt and has denied engaging in oral sex.

The case continues.

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