Ex-Premier League footballer Adam Johnson loses appeal against child sex conviction

Former England and Manchester City winger Adam Johnson has lost his Court of Appeal challenge against a six-year jail term for sexual activity with a child.

Johnson was jailed in March last year for sexual offenses – including grooming and sexual touching – committed against a 15-year-old girl while playing for Premier League club Sunderland.

In sentencing the former footballer, the judge told him he had abused a position of trust and caused his victim "severe psychological harm," the BBC reported. 

Johnson was denied leave to appeal his conviction and sentence in July and had launched a second attempt. 

Three judges rejected the 29-year-old's appeal and to have his sentence reduced.

Before his trial last year, Johnson admitted grooming the girl and one charge of sexual activity. 

The jury was told he touched the girl in a sexually gratifying manner after a period of grooming that began when she asked for a signed football jersey.  

The abuse took place in Johnson's Range Rover in January 2015 after he had groomed her over social media. 

Jurors found him guilty of sexual touching, but not guilty on a charge relating to another sexual act.

Johnson began playing for professional football for Middlesbrough in 2004 before moving to Manchester City, with whom he won the Premier League title in 2012, and the Sunderland.

He made 12 appearances for the England national team, scoring two goals.