Yob who mocked Bradley Lowery banned from local pubs and booted off sports teams

03 October 2023 , 12:46

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Dale Houghton mocked Bradley Lowery's death last Friday

The shamed football fan who mocked the death of Bradley Lowery is in danger of being banned from every pub in his local village.

Dale Houghton, 31, has pleaded guilty to a public order offence after showing a picture of Bradley to Sunderland fans and laughing. The shocking incident happened during the Black Cats' game against Sheffield Wednesday, the team Houghton supports, last Friday.

Houghton has been widely condemned for his disgusting actions. Bradley become a beloved public figure during his battle with neuroblastoma before his death in 2017, aged six. The Sunderland fan's close bond with England star Jermain Defoe captured the nation's hearts.

Defoe was "appalled" by the incident, while Bradley's mum Gemma said Houghton's awful behaviour was like "a dagger to the heart". Wednesday fans have responded by raising more than £24,500, and counting, for the Bradley Lowery Foundation.

Houghton appeared at Sheffield Magistrates' Court on Monday and his defence, Constance Coombs, said her client was "disgusted by what he did". The defendant, who has lost his job as a window fitter, could face prison time at his sentencing next month.

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As reported by the Daily Star, Houghton has been kicked off his football and cricket teams in the village of Wickersley, while some pubs have told him he's "not welcome". He played for Joker Wickersley Youth CC (football) and Wickersley Old Village CC.

"Joker Wickersley Youth CC, Wickersley OVCC, our committee, players and all involved with the club do not condone the behaviour of the people in question in any way, shape or form," read a statement. "The player has been banned from playing for us indefinitely."

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Joker Wickersley Youth CC added: "The player was de-registered from our club instantly as soon as we were made aware of the sickening behaviour by both ourselves and the league. All we can do is apologise for the distress this has caused to so many people."

Staff at the Masons Arms have also confirmed that Houghton is no longer allowed on the premises. More pubs are tipped to follow suit over the coming weeks.

One Masons Arms employee said: "He's no longer welcome here at the Masons Arms and I believe at the next Pubwatch meeting, going forward I'm pretty sure it will be brought up in that - he might not be allowed in pubs in the Wickersley area."

Houghton may struggle being served in his local boozers

Yet Houghton will be more concerned about his sentencing. District Judge James Gould described his actions as "utterly deplorable" and has promised to consider all possible options. The maximum punishment for a public order offence is a prison sentence.

Bradley's mum Gemma has expressed her upset to The Mirror. She said: "What they did was intentional and they had no remorse for doing it. That’s when I thought, 'Actually you are not very nice people and you deserve to be punished'."

Tom Blow