Jailed footballer Adam Johnson launches appeal against child sex conviction

Durham Police picture of Adam Johnson who has been found guilty at Bradford Crown Court of one count of sexual activity with a child.

DISGRACED footballer Adam Johnson has begun an appeal against his conviction for sexual activity with a child, a Bradford court has confirmed.

The sacked Sunderland and ex-England man was jailed for six years by a judge after grooming and engaging in sexual activity with a besotted 15-year-old fan.

Before Johnson: Nine other footballers convicted of serious offences

Statement from Sunderland FC on Adam Johnson case...

Adam Johnson’s teenage victim ‘so broken’ after abuse

He was jailed last week at Bradford Crown Court, where an official said: “He has lodged an appeal against conviction.”

Adam Johnson arrives at Bradford Crown Court

The case will be sent to a higher court in London for consideration, the official said.

She confirmed no appeal against sentence had been lodged.

At the conclusion of his trial, Judge Rose said Johnson had lied repeatedly, referring to the controversy over whether he delayed his guilty pleas to enable him to continue his £60,000-a-week career with Sunderland.

The judge said: “You had every opportunity to enter guilty pleas to the matters you finally admitted to the court but you chose not to do so, and one consequence of that is that (the girl) was regarded as a liar, by her peers and by the football supporters who would chant abuse about her.

Adam Johnson's parents Dave and Sonia Johnson leave Bradford Crown Court

“Little wonder that by the time of this trial she had, in her words, endured a year of abuse, of being called a liar and other more graphic insults, and was deeply upset by what you had done to her and by her treatment, such that she required counselling and such that she reached the lowest ebb after she gave evidence.”

He added: “She speaks of entering many dark places in that year and said she had suffered bullying and stress and had underachieved at school as a result of the case.”

The judge said: “I am satisfied that (the girl) has suffered severe psychological harm and have no doubt that I should take this into account.”

The judge said Johnson must pay £50,000 of the prosecution’s £67,132 costs.

Media and police officers await the arrival of Adam Johnson at Bradford Crown Court

On the Adam Johnson’s Appeal Fight page on Facebook, a writer thought to be the player’s sister Faye wrote: “Appeal Against Conviction lodged!

“Appeal Against Sentence is imminent this week!

“Awaiting confirmation for when my website can go live!

“Updates will follow!

“Thanks to everyone for your continued support it means a lot!

“I will never give up!”

The appeal page has been “liked” by more than 7,200 people.

Passing sentence, Judge Jonathan Rose said Johnson had caused his victim “severe psychological harm”.

In 2006, Johnson made five appearances for Leeds United, on loan from Middlesbrough.

Before Johnson: Nine other footballers convicted of serious offences

Statement from Sunderland FC on Adam Johnson case...