17 November 2023 , 14:45
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A Sheffield Wednesday fan who mocked the death of Bradley Lowery has avoided jail.
Dale Houghton, 31, used a picture of six-year-old Bradley, who lost his life to cancer in 2017, to taunt Sunderland fans during a match at Hillsborough back on September 29.
Mr. Houghton was charged with a public order offence in relation to the incident and entered a guilty plea to an offence of intentionally causing harassment, alarm or distress by displaying any writing, sign or other visible representation, which is threatening, abusive or insulting.
He has been sentenced to 12 weeks' custody which is suspended for 18 months. Houghton has also been given a banning order from all football stadiums for five years, and must complete 200 hours of unpaid work.
He appeared at Sheffield Magistrates Court on Friday for sentencing and told reporters upon his arrival that he was "extremely sorry" for his behaviour. During the hearing, Mr. Houghton's defence said he "wished to express his deep remorse, certainly to Bradley Lowery’s family as well as to the general public."
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During the sentencing, Judge Waite slammed Houghton's actions as 'utterly appalling', adding: "Your behaviour was disgraceful. You caused trauma to an already traumatised and grieving family.” A statement was also read out on behalf of Bradley's mum Gemma, who said the act was "disrespectful and had caused emotional turmoil to other ill children."
However, Judge Waite felt Houghton had shown genuine remorse for his behaviour with the court told how he had lost two jobs as a result of his actions.
Bradley captured the hearts of the nation when he appeared as a mascot for Sunderland and later England during his battle against a rare form of childhood cancer. He died of neuroblastoma, having raised more than £1million for charity.
Bradley Lowery appeared as mascot for Sunderland and England (PA)In his police interview, Houghton claimed he was having 'standard football banter' with Sunderland fans and they showed each other badges of their respective rivals, before Houghton googled a picture of Lowery and displayed it.
Bradley's mum Gemma spoke to The Mirror last month about Mr. Houghton's actions. She said: "To be honest when I first saw it I was upset and a little bit angry, using my child in a negative light. However as the day went on and I saw the impact and the backlash the men got.
"I'm the sort of person who tries to see the good in people, so I started trying to justify their actions, they’ve just been beaten 3-0. When I did my impact victim statement I thought the backlash that they got was probably enough punishment.
"But then I got sent some messages from a group chat they’d been in which you can clearly see there was no remorse. They said that Bradley shouldn’t have got special treatment and that’s when it really, really hit us.
Dale Houghton from Rotherham pleaded guilty last month
Houghton expressed his deep remorse to Bradley's family (PA)"It was like a dagger to my heart and I got really really upset about that. 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'."
Sheffield Wednesday fans set up a fundraising campaign in the aftermath of the incident for the Bradley Lowery Foundation, which was set up to provide support for families who are affected.
Lowery formed a special bond with ex-Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe, who said he was 'appalled and saddened' by the actions of Houghton. "My thoughts at this time go out to Gemma and Carl, Bradley’s parents, who shouldn’t have to deal with incidents like this," he said.
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"Bradley was one of the most inspirational children this world has ever seen, and he will never stop inspiring us. We love and miss you Brad. Love, your best friend forever."