Disgraced Adam Johnson to appeal conviction for sexual activity with a child

A spokeswoman for Bradford Crown Court confirmed today that the 28-year-old, who was jailed last week for six years, has launched appeal proceedings surrounding that particular conviction.

Johnson was found guilty of sexual activity with a child following a trial at the same court, which lasted for almost three weeks.

Before it began, he admitted charges of kissing and grooming the same girl - but continued to deny touching the girl. He was acquitted of a further charge, in which it was alleged that the 15-year-old performed a sex act on him.

Judge Jonathan Rose sentenced Johnson, of Castle Eden, County Durham, to five years for the sexual touching charge, one year for grooming, to run consecutively, and four months for kissing, to run concurrently. The total sentence is six years.

Last week's court hearing heard that the victim, an avid SAFC fan who idolised Johnson, suffered "severe psychological harm" as a result of the offences. Orlando Pownall QC, Johnson's barrister, confirmed then in court that the appeal against conviction had been lodged.

Johnson's sister Faye has written on her Facebook page, named Adam Johnson's Appeal Fight, that her brother will also appeal against the six-year sentence, and that a website will soon be set up in support of him.

A post, written 13 hours ago, said: " Appeal Against Conviction lodged! Appeal Against Sentence is imminent this week! Awaiting confirmation for when my website can go live! Updates will follow! Thanks to everyone for your continued support it means a lot! I will never give up!"

The page has more than 7,000 likes.