SUNDERLAND PLAYER ADAM JOHNSON ARRESTED OVER SEX WITH 15 YEAR OLD GIRL

Sunderland winger Adam Johnson has been arrested on suspicion of sexual activity with a girl under 16.

Johnson remains in custody and is helping police with their enquiries and Durham Constabulary have issued a brief statement.

"A 27-year-old man was arrested earlier today on suspicion of sexual activity with a girl under 16. He remains in police custody and is helping officers with their enquiries."

Sunderland have suspended Johnson pending the outcome of the investigation.

A club statement said: "Sunderland AFC has confirmed that Adam Johnson has been suspended from the club, pending the outcome of a police investigation. No further comment will be made at the present time."

Sunderland will therefore be without Johnson for Tuesday's Premier League trip to Hull City.

According to The Sun the England international, who became a father for the first time in early January, was arrested at his £1.85million mansion on Monday morning.

Three unmarked cars, a police van, plain clothes officers and crime scene investigators were reportedly at the player's home.

A neighbour told The Sun: 'All the main activity was between 9.15am and 9.35am. Three undercover cars and a scenes of crime van arrived.

'As far as I know he lives there with his girlfriend.'

Johnson, 27, who scored the winning goal in this season's Tyne-Wear derby against Newcastle at St James Park, joined Sunderland from Manchester City for £10m in August 2012.

He made his full England debut against Hungary in 2010 and has 12 caps, scoring two goals.