Not at the magistrates. He'll only confirm his name and plea before it's referred to the crown court for a trial date.
England and Sunderland footballer Adam Johnson has been charged with three counts of sexual activity with a 15-year-old girl. The 27-year-old, from Castle Eden, County Durham, was initially arrested on 2 March. He was also charged with one offence of grooming when he answered bail at a police station earlier, Durham Police said. He will appear before Peterlee Magistrates' Court on 20 May. Gerry Wareham, from the Crown Prosecution Service, said he had authorised police to charge Johnson under the Sexual Offences Act 2003. He said the offences are alleged to have been committed on a single victim between 30 December 2014 to 26 February this year. "May I remind all concerned that the defendant has a right to a fair trial," he said. "It is very important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings. "I would also remind people that the complainant in this case is entitled to lifelong anonymity under the law. For these reasons, it would be inappropriate for me to comment further."
Its the grooming bit thats the killer. Shows pre-meditation and not a one-off momentary act of insanity! Bollocks!!!!!!! What a kick in the nads with just 2 days to go to Stoke! If he's found guilty he'll never be able to show his face around town again!
You`d expect so but you know as well as I do a good Counsel can tear it apart under cross examination. I`m not saying he`s innocent or guilty, that`s for the court to decide. What I`m saying is that the club suspend him and forget it until it`s decided one way or the other. The club has to separate itself completely.
I know, the magistrates just take his name and details like plea and what not and give the trial date. Magistrates iare **** all, peple go their for unpaid fines he won't face justice there for these charges. He's been charged, , he will go to crown court to face a jury unless the case is dropped before then.
I wondered why they said Mag's court to be honest, I'm sure they don't have the authority to impose long prison sentences... **** I've forgotten half of what I was taught!
Yeah man, everyone who's going to trial has to go to the mags first to confirm and plea. His trial will be next year probably.
Not sure but I think all the mags do is take the details and enter a plea. Then it`s referred to a higher court for hearing.
Is he in custody? If he is, the evidence has to be taken as concrete enough to deem him a danger to society. If he is at home, then can we assume that's not the case?
He may as well go not guilty at mags and hope his barrister can work magic for him in the trial. I can't see how they could provide a fair trial at a north east crown court though either way.
It's the court of first instance. Depending on whether he's charged summarily or is indicted. If indicted it'll go to the Crown Court. Summary, the Mags can give up to to 12 months.
Is that the case? I've only read that he'll appear at Peterlee Mag's on the 20th... no mention of bail.
