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Footballer Adam Johnson Set To Be Released From Prison Later This Month

Footballer Adam Johnson Set To Be Released From Prison Later This Month

He was handed a six-year sentence for sexual activity with a child in 2016

Claire Reid

Claire Reid

Former England football star Adam Johnson is reportedly set to be released from prison later this month, having served half of a six-year sentence.

Thirty-one-year old Johnson was given a six-year stretch after being found guilty of one count of sexual activity with a 15-year-old girl in February 2016.

Judge Jonathan Rose, who presided over the case, said at the time that Johnson used his 'celebrity status' to carry out his 'calculated, considered and carefully orchestrated' abuse.

Adam Johnson was sentenced to six-years in 2016.
PA

He added that it caused the victim 'severe psychological harm'.

The Sun has reported that he has an expected release date of 22 March, almost three-years to the day of him being sentenced. Inmates can usually expect to serve half of their sentence inside and the other half on licence, assuming they behave themselves while inside.

Taking to Twitter in January his sister Faye - who has spoken out in support of the footballer in the past - posted: "I can finally say my brother is home this year."

In April last year Faye shared a photo of Adam holding her little boy on Twitter with the caption: "Seven years ago the most adorable little boy came into my life! Happy birthday Lucas. This time next year uncle Adam will be celebrating with us."

And it looks as though this might be the case, if the reports are to be believed.

Unconfirmed reports claim the former Sunderland, Middlesbrough and Manchester City winger will move back to the area in which he used to live.

Johnson will remain on the sex offenders register for the rest of his life.

Adam Johnson was jailed in 2016
Adam Johnson was jailed in 2016

Following his sentencing in March 2016, Johnson launched an appeal, with his lawyers arguing that he was given 'too harsh a sentence as he was famous'. However, he lost appeals to have his conviction overturned and his sentence cut.

He is currently being held at HMP Moorland near Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Reports from last year claimed Johnson might be eyeing up a move to the Chinese Super League.

Micky Gray, another former Sunderland player, told talkSPORT that he thinks Johnson would find it 'really, really difficult' to be accepted into the 'dressing room' of a UK club.

He said: "Would he be accepted back into that dressing room, not just by myself but by the rest of the teammates? I think that would be really, really hard.

"It could happen, but again I think you'd have to ask Adam that question himself, whether he wants to get back into the game.

"He's got age on his side if he wants to do that. How much desire he's got to want to put his football boots back on and play for maybe another three or four seasons?"

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: uk news