Footballer Adam Johnson has been jailed for six years for grooming and sexual activity with a girl aged 15, reports BBC News.

Sentencing the ex-Sunderland player, Judge Jonathan Rose told him he had abused a position of trust and caused his victim "severe psychological harm".

The judge told Johnson, 28, he had engaged in sexual activity with her knowing she was under 16.

Bradford Crown Court heard the sexual abuse happened in the footballer's Range Rover last January.

Judge Rose said Johnson had had "every opportunity" to enter guilty pleas to the charges he finally admitted. He ordered the footballer to pay £50,000 of the prosecution's £67,132 costs.

Earlier, the court was told the player had lodged an appeal against his conviction for sexual activity with the girl.