Former Sunderland and England winger Adam Johnson has been sentenced to six years in jail.
Johnson, 28, was found guilty by jury of one charge of sexual activity with a 15-year-old girl earlier this month at Bradford Crown Court, having already pleaded guilty to a lesser charge and one of grooming (communicating with a child with the intent of committing a sex act) on the opening day of his trial on Feb. 10. Johnson lodged an appeal against the conviction Thursday.
MORE: The most heinous crimes connected to athletes
Johnson, whose contract was terminated by Sunderland following his guilty plea, ran into court to avoid the media scrum and then listened to a statement from the victim in which she detailed the impact the case has had on her personal life and schoolwork.