Prosecution expects jury to see Adam Johnson’s ‘core of deceit and lies’

Footballer Adam Johnson manipulated a 15-year-old girl for sexual activity in a case of “grooming in its purest form”, a court has heard.

Former Sunderland star Johnson is on trial at Bradford Crown Court accused of sexual activity with the teenage Sunderland fan.

The 28-year-old has admitted grooming and kissing the girl but denies that further sex acts took place in a car park behind a Chinese takeaway.