Video: BBC News

SUNDERLAND and England footballer Adam Johnson has pleaded guilty to two child sex charges.

The 28-year-old is appearing at Bradford Crown Court, having previously denied three counts of sexual activity with a child and one count of grooming.

This morning he pleaded guilty to one count of sexual activity with a child and one count of grooming.

Johnson admitted meeting a child following sexual grooming between December 30, 2014 and Ferbuary 26 last year, and sexual activity with a child on January 30 last year involving kissing and touching.

He continues to deny two charges of sexual activity with a girl aged under 16.

The jury has now been sworn in, and has been told of his guilty pleas by Judge Jonathan Rose.

The Northern Echo:
Adam Johnson arrives at Bradford Crown Court with his partner Stacey Flounders

The trial is not expected to get underway until Friday.

The Northern Echo will be providing live updates when the trial starts in full.

It has been listed for ten days.

Six men and six women have been selected to sit on the jury.

While being given their directions they were told by Judge Rose that they may read about the case in the press.

He told the jurors: "Mr Johnson, as you will hear, is a professional footballer for Sunderland Football Club."

They were instructed that they try the defendant on only the evidence they hear in court.

Judge Rose added: "You may see reference to this in the press but it's the evidence in court that you will gather. This defendant has already pleaded guilty to two offences, you will hear more about them in detail when Miss Blackwell opens the case to you on Friday."

He said they must come to a decision on the remaining two charges.

"It will be for you and only you to determine if he is guilty or not guilty."

Kate Blackwell QC for the prosecution said that the alleged incidents had taken place in County Durham, in or about the area of Castle Eden and Wingate.

Johnson, from Castle Eden, County Durham, is represented by Mr Orlando Pownall QC.

He arrived at court this morning amid a media scrum, flanked by his partner Stacey Flounders.

Johnson attended Newcastle United's Centre of Excellence before beginning his career at Middlesbrough, making his senior debut aged 17 in 2005 in the UEFA Cup.

Since leaving Manchester City for Sunderland in a £10m move in 2012, he has played more than 140 times for the Black Cats and scored in their 2-2 draw at Liverpool on Saturday.

When contacted by The Northern Echo, Sunderland football club said they would not be issuing any statements while legal proceedings were ongoing.

The Northern Echo:
England footballer Adam Johnson, 28, surrounded by media as he arrives at Bradford Crown Court

The former Easington Community Science College pupil has also played at various levels for England, earning 12 caps.

Johnson was arrested at his £1.5m home last March, seven weeks after his girlfriend, Ms Flounders, was reported to have given birth to their daughter, Ayla.