THE NSPCC slammed Sunderland yesterday for playing convicted paedophile Adam Johnson throughout the police investigation into child sex offences, knowing throughout that time that he was guilty.

The former Black Cats winger was found guilty on one charge of sexual activity with a child on Wednesday, having been acquitted of another.

A spokesman for the NSPCC said: “If they had known he had kissed a girl prior to his guilty plea, then we think they should have suspended him pending the ongoing investigation.