Johnson to learn prison term on March 24

Former Sunderland and England winger Adam Johnson faces a substantial prison term after it was confirmed on Thursday

that he will be sentenced on March 24 for sexual activity with a 15-year-old girl.

Johnson admitted grooming and sexual activity with the girl, who is a Sunderland fan, and was convicted of a charge of sexual touching.

The 28-year-old, who also played for Manchester City and Middlesbrough, was found guilty of sexual activity with the teenager and a judge told him he should expect to receive a lengthy prison sentence.

Johnson was given bail at Bradford Crown Court by Judge Jonathan Rose, who warned him: "You must understand that when you return here at the end of March you will receive a substantial prison sentence."

The judge said his preliminary view was that the offences fall into the category of a five-year prison sentence with a possible range of four to 10 years.

Johnson was found not guilty of a third charge of sexual activity with a child, relating to the same girl.

All the charges relate to an incident in Johnson's Range Rover when he met up with the girl in County Durham onJanuary 30 last year.