Adam Johnson charged with sex offences with a child under 16

Sunderland winger Adam Johnson has been charged with three counts of sexual activity with a child under 16 and one offence of grooming.

Police arrested the 27-year-old in March and, despite initially being suspended by Sunderland, returned to play for the Black Cats against West Ham, Newcastle and Crystal Palace.

A statement from Durham Police on Thursday read: "Adam Johnson, a professional footballer aged 27 from Castle Eden, County Durham has this afternoon been charged with three offences of sexual activity with a child under 16 years old, plus one offence of grooming.

"Johnson was initially arrested on Monday, March 2 and was charged after he answered his police bail today at Peterlee police station.

"He will appear at the magistrates court in Peterlee on the morning of Wednesday, May 20."

Johnson will be due in court on the same day on which Sunderland take on Arsenal in a Premier League match.