Adam Johnson trial: 'Ashamed' star knew it was wrong to kiss schoolgirl

ADAM Johnson knew it was an offence to kiss a schoolgirl and asked her to delete his messages, a court heard.

   REMORSE: Johnson told police he recognised the 'stupidity' of his actions

The former Sunderland star “apologised wholeheartedly”, saying the alleged victim was a "child" who "ought to have felt safe in my company", in a written statement to police.

He admitted kissing the victim in his car and "cyber flirting" but denied she gave him oral sex.

The former England man said he could not recall becoming aroused while kissing her but conceded it was a "possibility".

He told police he "kissed her fully on the lips" and claimed he may have got turned on because of the "passionate way she was kissing me".

   CHARGED: Adam Johnson is in court for day seven of his trial

Standing in the dock at Bradford Crown Court in a black suit and red tie, Johnson was asked about the state of his relationship with girlfriend Stacey Flounders.

He admitted it was “not very good”.

He said: “It was all my fault.

“I had been speaking to people who I shouldn’t have been speaking to and not being a good person.

“I wasn’t being a good person to my girlfriend and my daughter who had just been born.”

   TRIAL: The former England footballer arrived for day seven at Bradford Crown Court today

Asked how different the context of his messages to other women were in comparison to those sent the victim, he said: “They were different.

“They were a lot more explicit.”

Orlando Pownall QC, defending, asked Johnson: "You pleaded guilty to sexual activity with a child and meeting a child following sexual grooming. Did you accept kissing (the girl)?"

Johnson said: "Yes."

Mr Pownall continued: "Did you digitally interfere with her or indulge in oral sex with her?"

The footballer answered: "No, I never."

Johnson told the court at the time of the alleged offences last January his relationship with his partner "wasn't good" and that she was suspicious about who he was messaging.

Mr Pownall asked: "Were you contemplating any kind of sexual encounter with her?"

Johnson replied: "No."

Det Insp Aelfwynn Sampson earlier told the court that Johnson’s phone was analysed for messages sent and received from the alleged victim.

She said she had a meeting with Sunderland AFC’s chief executive Margaret Byrne to talk about the allegations made against the midfielder.

The meeting, where the issue of “safeguarding” children was discussed, took place before Johnson was interviewed by detectives.

The former Sunderland star is accused of meeting up several times with a 15-year-old girl who is said to have “idolised” the footballer.

Earlier in his trial, the jury heard testimony from the alleged victim and school friends.

The girl told the court about sex acts that allegedly took place in the Premier League star’s Range Rover when she was 15.

Johnson, of Castle Eden, Durham, has admitted grooming the girl and kissing her but denies two more serious charges of sex activity.

If found guilty, he faces up to 14 years in prison.

The trial continues.