As the dust settles upon Adam Johnson’s six year prison sentence, the scrutiny has also began to yield. There are many subjects that have been addressed in the media: his victim, his position and status in society, his actions and behaviour, his mental health. However one has been overlooked more than most. That of Stacey Flounders.
25 years old and originally from Hartlepool, Stacey Flounders previously worked as an air hostess and had resided in Durham with partner Adam Johnson. The two started dating in 2012 and a year ago Miss Flounders gave birth to Ayla Sofia.
Upon the charges for Johnson, Flounders was abruptly shoved into the spotlight but took it in her stride as she continued to enjoy the lifestyle attained by a relationship with £60,000 a-week Johnson.
Flounders stuck by the former England and Sunderland winger as the media slowly caught wind of Johnson’s actions. She said little but her presence at the side of Johnson as criminal proceedings began spoke louder than any words could. She was a woman in love.
Initially, Adam Johnson admitted to one charge of sexual activity with a child and one of grooming. Flounders remained faithful and supportive but after an intense and very public three-week trial, there was no doubt as to Johnson’s guilt.
Flounders sat motionless and took in proceedings – a devoted and strong figure of support – until Johnson finally admitted to the extent of the relationship with the 15-year old.
It was the final nail in the coffin for Johnson. Gone was his career, reputation, and future. Now, so too, was his family.
Upon the verdict, Johnson has been demonised by the public and media but Flounders has not escaped either. Many have questioned her motive for supporting Johnson throughout the charges, yet they fail to appreciate the complexity of their relationship.
With a fourteen-month old baby and a seemingly loving relationship, there would be little reason, on the surface, to assume Flounders would be anything but supportive. Yet, it became apparent through the trial that Flounders was aware of Adam Johnson’s sexual impropriety. On the witness stand she spoke of him being with a few women of which she did not know the names of. Naturally questions have been asked.
Nevertheless, if there was ever a time for privacy then it would be now.
Flounders finds herself in purgatory. A single mother in need of support and in need of those closest to her as she struggles to comprehend the developments of the last year. She had it all – a stable, happy relationship, a new-born baby, a beautiful house, and a glitzy lifestyle. Now she must find a way of not only coping with an imprisoned former spouse, but also her new life.
She moves into this new chapter of her life with a great degree of uncertainty, but it is also an opportunity to fulfil her own dreams and ambition; a chance to be Stacey Flounders, rather than the wag of Adam Johnson.
Spare a thought too for the parents of Adam Johnson, Dave and Sonia. At no point in their worst nightmares would they have imagined the harm their son could and would do. At no point could they have imagined the person he would become.
It is clear that there were no winners from this ordeal.
Careers have been ended, reputations damaged, families broken, and lives destroyed. Adam Johnson has done more harm than he can ever know.
