'Whatever your verdicts, everybody is a loser', says Johnson's defence

Adam Johnson's barrister, Orlando Pownall QC, giving the closing speech for the defence, said to the jury:

Mr Pownall told the jury that both the girl and Johnson had lied in the past.

He said: "The Crown spoke of inconsistencies, silly details. They ask you tocut her some slack. I'm not asking you to cut Mr Johnson some slack."

He added: "Harsh though it may be, she has lied."

Mr Pownall told the jury that "image mattered" to the girl, who was"infatuated" with Johnson.

He said: "She didn't want to lose face."

The barrister ended his speech by urging the jury to acquit Johnson on bothcounts of sexual activity with a child.

He said:

Johnson sat in the dock and listened, without expression, to the speeches made to the jury.

The former Sunderland footballer has admitted charges of grooming and sexual activity with a child, involving kissing. He denies two further, more serious counts of sexual activity with a child.

The trial has been adjourned until Monday 29 February