Paedophile footballer Adam Johnson has reunited with his ex-girlfriend – who is weeks from giving birth to their second child.
Johnson, 34, was convicted for sexual activity with a child and sentenced to six years in prison in March 2016. He was released after serving half the sentence in March 2019.
He has since kept a low profile but got back together with former flame Stacey Flounders, 31, during lockdown.
The couple, who share daughter Ayla, broke up during Johnson’s trial after Flounders learned he had repeatedly cheated on her.
At the time, she branded him an ‘arrogant cheat’ and said he had ruined her life.
Paedophile footballer Adam Johnson has reunited with his ex-girlfriend Stacey Flounders (pictured with Johnson at Bradford Crown Court in February 2016) and she is weeks from giving birth to their second child
But sources told the Sun she never hated him or viewed him as a paedophile, despite his conviction for sexual activity with a 15-year-old fan.
A friend said: ‘Stacey never thought of Adam as a paedophile. She knew he made mistakes and was furious with him for all of his cheating.
‘But she never hated him. He insists he has learned the error of his ways and has promised he will never cheat again.
The couple started rebuilding their life together during lockdown ‘when they were spending lots of time with each other looking after their daughter’, the source added.
‘She thinks he is a brilliant dad. This is a new chapter in their lives and Stacey couldn’t be happier. But make no mistake – she will not be messed around.
‘These last few years have really toughened her up and, although she has forgiven Adam, there will be no second chances.’
They pair are reportedly considering a move abroad.
The pair (pictured in 2012) met in 2011 and had moved in together in 2012 after he signed for Sunderland. Flounders split from Johnson after he was convicted for sexual activity with a child in 2016
After his conviction, Johnson was sacked by Sunderland and saw his £10,000 sponsorship deal with adidas ripped up
Flounders stood by the former England winger during his trial for child sex offences before he was convicted of sexually touching a schoolgirl fan who he had groomed online.
But during the trial it was revealed Johnson had engaged in sexual activity with the 15-year-old fan only three weeks after the birth of their daughter.
Bradford Crown Court heard he had texted the teen fan arranging to meet her in his Range Rover with a pair of signed shirts.
He later messaged her a series of flirty texts and asked for a second meeting.
Johnson later claimed they kissed, but nothing more, but the victims alleged more serious sexual activity took place.
The trial heard Johnson suggested they would get into the back of the car, talked about how turned on she had been, and said he wanted to get her jeans off.
It also emerged he had texted the teen fan telling her much he enjoyed their encounter while also texting Flounders about their newborn child.
She gave evidence in his defence at his trial, telling the court she did not see a future for their relationship but they would remain friends.
The couple split around the time of the jury’s verdicts and her friends said she then struggled to get by and had to supplement her income with tax credits.
She went on to date then-Sheffield Wednesday footballer Gary Madine, before getting back together with Johnson during the pandemic.
The couple are now living in a £500,000 detached house in County Durham.
A source told the Sun: ‘Stacey is very clearly pregnant and is quite far on. She looks really happy and healthy.
‘A lot of other women might struggle to understand it but she has obviously forgiven Adam enough to take him back.’
Johnson was a member of the Manchester City squad that won the FA Cup in 2011 and their first Premier League title in 2012. After his conviction, player Johnson was stripped of the 12 England caps he had collected between 2010 and 2012
The pair met in 2011 and had moved in together in 2012 after he signed for Sunderland. He and former air hostess lived in a £2million mansion in County Durham
Johnson earned around £60,000-a-week before his offences were exposed.
The pair met in 2011 and had moved in together in 2012 after he signed for Sunderland. He and former air hostess lived in a £2million mansion in County Durham.
After his conviction, Johnson was stripped of the 12 England caps he had collected between 2010 and 2012.
He was also sacked by Sunderland and saw his £10,000 sponsorship deal with adidas ripped up.
Upon his release, he issued a statement and said he ‘would like to take this opportunity to publicly express my remorse for my actions’ which ‘led to my conviction and imprisonment’.
He also apologised to friends and family and thanked any members of the public who supported him.
An ex-England and Sunderland winger, Johnson was a member of the Manchester City squad that won the FA Cup in 2011 and their first Premier League title in 2012.
Adam Johnson case: A timeline
2014
December – Johnson and his victim start exchanging messages online. She tells him she has only just turned 15.
2015
17 January – Johnson’s first meeting with the girl where he signs two football shirts for her.
30 January – Johnson meets girl for a second time. He says they kissed, she alleges more serious sexual activity took place.
Johnson picked up the girl in his black Range Rover in 2015 after sending her messages
25 February – Girl hoped to meet Johnson but he pulls out saying he can’t leave home. Girls tells parents about their meetings.
26 February – Girl and her mother go to police.
2 March – Johnson is arrested at his home on suspicion of having sexual activity with a 15-year-old girl. Player is suspended from playing pending the outcome of a police investigation.
18 March – His bail is extended and his suspension from playing for his club is lifted.
4 May – Johnson, his lawyer and his father hold meeting with the club telling them that he has confessed to messaging the 15-year-old and kissing her. He continues to be allowed to play.
24 May – Sunderland avoid relegation and Johnson heads off on stag-do to Dubai.
3 June – Johnson formally pleads not guilty to three counts of sexual activity with a child and another count of grooming at Durham Crown Court.
2016
6 February – Johnson plays his final game for Sunderland, scoring and throwing his shirt into the crowd.
10 February – Johnson pleads guilty to one count of sexual activity with a child and one count of grooming.
11 February – Sunderland sack Johnson.
12 February – Player’s trial begins.
2 March – Johnson is found guilty of sexual activity with a 15-year-old
24 March – Johnson is jailed for six years.
2017
16 March -Johnson loses an appeal against his conviction.
2019
22 March – Johnson is released from prison half-way through his sentence.