Fan who mocked Bradley Lowery pleads guilty and slammed as 'utterly deplorable'
The Sheffield Wednesday fan who mocked the tragic death of Bradley Lowery has been branded "utterly deplorable" after pleading guilty in court.
Dale Houghton, 31, appeared at Sheffield Magistrates' Court on Monday and admitted a public order offence. District Judge James Gould told him "your actions are utterly deplorable" and that all sentence options were open, including prison. He will be sentenced next month on November 17 - after admitting one count of intentionally causing harassment, alarm or distress by displaying any writing, sign or other visible representation, which is threatening, abusive or insulting.
He was given bail on condition that he does not attend regulated football grounds in the UK, does not go within a mile of Hillsborough Stadium on Sheffield Wednesday match-days and completes a drug intervention programme. Houghton left the court by a back door with security staff helping him get into a waiting black car as he concealed his face with the pink hood of his coat.
The fan was also slammed by Bradley's mum Gemma for the "unforgivable" act and said a victim impact statement: "This image made me feel so many emotions. I find it hard to put into words. "t is not just disrespectful to Bradley but also to other people who are going through the emotional trauma of dealing with cancer.
"This image portrays negatively. I feel upset that these two men used this image to get a reaction from Sunderland fans. It was unforgivable. I have nothing but loving memories of Bradley."
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Police have also applied for a football banning order from stadiums, and a second man confirmed as Houghton's brother Drew, 27, was also arrested. He has since been released on police bail.
Sheffield Wednesday confirmed that an investigation had been launched alongside West Yorkshire Police in the aftermath of the shocking behaviour. Houghton, 31, was arrested and held on suspicion of outraging public decency after appearing to show pictures of the Lowery, 6, who died of cancer in 2017.
Dale Houghton left Sheffield Magistrates Court via a back entrance on Monday (Ben Lack Photography Ltd)A statement read: "Officers have arrested two men in connection to an on-going investigation into public order offences following a football match. Yesterday (29 September) two men were reported to have carried out an act of outraging public decency following the Sheffield Wednesday V Sunderland fixture held at Hillsborough.
"Officers have this evening (30 September) arrested two men aged 31 and 27 on suspicion of outraging public decency. They both remain in police custody."
Lowery stole the hearts of football supporters around the country amid his battle with neuroblastoma - a rare type of cancer. He struck up a heartwarming friendship with former England striker Jermain Defoe.
Bradley Lowery struck up a heart-warming friendship with Jermain Defoe (Getty Images)Bradley sadly passed away in 2017. A statement from his mum Gemma in the aftermath of the incident slammed the behaviour. Taking to social media, she wrote: "Today has not been the Saturday I was expecting, after receiving multiple calls and messages regarding a photo circulating on social media.
"I have received a visit from the Durham Police to check that I am ok, and they have notified myself and Carl that Yorkshire police are now dealing with the situation and taking it very serious. Bradley was and still is well loved in the football community, which I'm eternally grateful for, but i must ask that everyone lets the police do their job.
"I want to thank Sheffield Wednesday and the support their fans have shown. Like we always say, CANCER HAS NO COLOURS, and as we all know it can affect anyone at any time."
Sheffield Wednesday fans set up a GoFundMe page in support of the Bradley Lowery Foundation following Friday's incident. Around £17,000 has already been raised in response.
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