Footballer Adam Johnson "abused his revered position in society" by having sexual contact with a girl he knew was underage, a court has been told

The 28-year-old former Sunderland player, who denies two counts of sexual activity with a child, went on trial today.

The jury at Bradford Crown Court heard that the school girl, a passionate Sunderland fan, would often "hang around" the ground in the hope of seeing Johnson, "her favourite player" whose name she had emblazoned on the back of her shirt.

Prosecutor Katie Blackwell QC said Johnson contacted the girl after she had made a Facebook friend request to him.

In the subsequent messages, the girl made clear that she was a Year 10 student one month past her 15th birthday, the court was told.

Miss Blackwell said the winger, who has represented England 12 times, had been brought to the courtroom by a "sexual desire for [the girl], an excessive arrogance and an unwarranted level of expectation".