Dad tells court girl 'wanted to kill herself' before telling him about Adam Johnson claims

A statement from the girl's father was read to jurors at Bradford Crown Court today.

Earlier in the week, it was heard that the girl spoke to her father first about interactions with 28-year-old Johnson before telling her mother.

The day after she told her parents, she told the police and was interviewed for the first time.

Follow our live blog from the trial hereIn the statement, which was read to the court by prosecutor Kate Blackwell QC, the dad said: "[She] had been upstairs in her room and had come downstairs crying her eyes out and saying she wanted to kill herself.

"I asked her what was wrong but she wouldn't tell me what the problem was. She was cuddling me and crying."

The man explained in his statement how he comforted his daughter and, after about half an hour, she gave him more information.

At first, the girl told her father "he probably wouldn't believe her".

He continued: "She said, 'I have met up with Adam Johnson'. She told me that she had met him to get a signed shirt from him."

The girl then told her dad, "things have happened" but wouldn't go into the specifics.

Read more:

Adam Johnson trial: 'He's a bit of a paedophile' says under-age girl's friendAdam Johnson 'set up separate Snapchat account to contact teenager,' court toldIn his statement the man said his daughter had previously told him that Johnson offered to sign a shirt for the girl.

"I didn't think there was anything wrong with this gesture as she was an avid fan and Adam Johnson was her favourite player," he added

As far as the father was aware, this was to take place following her attending a match - and the girl had told him that it hadn't happened yet.

Jurors heard that the girl would regularly attend home matches.

The dad continued: "At the time of her initially telling me about the meeting up with Adam Johnson I was in a state of shock and total disbelief."

The case continues.

Johnson has denied two counts of sexual activity with a child.