Fan’s mocking of Sunderland mascot Bradley Lowery's death ‘utterly deplorable’: UK Court

A UK court has termed as 'utterly deplorable' Sheffield fan Dales Houghton's action of mocking death of Sunderland mascot Bradley Lowery, a cancer victim, during a match at Hillsborough Stadium last week.

District Judge James Gould told Houghton that his actions were "utterly deplorable" and that all sentence options, including imprisonment were open.

31-year-old Dale Houghton, who appeared at Sheffield Magistrates' Court on Monday, admitted to public order offence. He was later granted bail on condition that he would neither attend regulated football grounds in the country nor go within a mile of Hillsborough Stadium, where the incident took place.


31-year-old Dale Houghton, who appeared at Sheffield Magistrates' Court on Monday, admitted to public order offence. He was later granted bail on condition that he would neither attend regulated football grounds in the country nor go within a mile of Hillsborough Stadium, where the incident took place.

During a Sheffield-Sunderland match on Wednesday, Houghton used a picture of six-year-old Bradley, who died after a battle with neuroblastoma in 2017, to taunt the opposition match.

Houghton's shocking behaviour also drew sharp reactions from Bradley's mother Gemma, who termed it "not just disrespectful" to her son, but also to other people dealing with cancer.

"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," she said.

Lowery, who served as Sunderland mascot on several occasions, stole hearts of million of football supporters around the UK amid his battle the rare form of cancer. He also developed a heartwarming friendship with former striker Jermain Defoe, who together led England for a World Cup qualifier against Lithuania at Wembley.

Houghton will be sentenced on November 17.