Sunderland fan Bradley Lowery captured the hearts of the nation when he struck up a heartwarming friendship with former club striker, Jermain Defoe, when he was just 18 months old. In 2017, Bradley died from neuroblastoma, a rare form of cancer, at the age of six, and his family and fellow football fans have since kept his memory alive - from the Bradley Lowery Foundation and his £3 million legacy to tattoos, an OBE mention and touching tributes.
But his tragic death was cruelly mocked by a football yob last Friday, when Sheffield Wednesday fan Dale Houghton, 31, held up a picture of Bradley smiling on his phone towards Sunderland supporters in an apparent taunt. Houghton, who has since described his actions as "enjoyable banter" that "went too far" to police, now faces the consequences of his hurtful taunting, after being slammed by the teams and companies he represented.
Houghton held up a photo of young Bradley Lowery on his phone, a six-year-old Sunderland fan who tragically died of cancer in 2017 (PA)Facing jail time and without a job
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.
The court heard he'd tested positive for cocaine after his arrest and had since lost his job as a window fitter. 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. 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.
Houghton, 31, has lost his job as a window fitter and will be sentenced next month where he could possibly face jail timeProsecutor Jade Scott said Houghton gave "full and frank admissions" during his police interview, in which the defendant claimed he was taking part in "enjoyable banter". Constance Coombs of the defence said her client was "disgusted by what he did". Ms Coombs insisted there was "mutual goading" between Houghton and the Sunderland fans but he "took it too far". It's said those Sunderland fans in question were waving the Sheffield United badge.
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In a victim impact statement read to the court, Bradley's mother, Gemma, condemned Houghton's "unforgivable" actions. She said: "This image made me feel so many emotions. I find it hard to put into words. It 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."
She has since spoken exclusively to the Mirror, declaring: "They said that Bradley shouldn't have got special treatment and that's when it really, really hit us. 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'."
Football team snub and local pub ban
Houghton is in danger of being banned from every pub in his local village after being kicked off his football and cricket teams in Wickersley. He played for Joker Wickersley Youth CC (football) and Wickersley Old Village CC. In a statement the Blades Super Draw Premier Division side said: "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. The player has been banned from playing for us indefinitely."
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 has been banned from numerous football and cricket teams, as well as local pubs
Bradley's mum Gemma Lowery has said it was like a 'dagger to the heart' seeing the vile photo of Houghton go viral online (Andy Commins / Daily Mirror)Wednesday fans disown him and raise £25k
The wider football community was outraged by Houghton's actions, with Wednesday fans raising more than £25,000 for the Bradley Lowery Foundation. Leanne Wood, an Owls fan who saw the image on social media, decided to set up a fundraising page for the charity - which is formed by his family in order to help other children suffering from neuroblastoma.
And having set an initial target of just £5,000, the page has surpassed £25,000 at time of publishing. "When I saw the images it made me feel sick to my stomach," Leanne told the Mirror. "The fact that Bradley's family had to see that is absolutely disgusting and heartbreaking. I felt like I wanted to actively do something about it. I put the idea of a fundraiser across to the members of the Sheffield Wednesday Women's Supporters Group who said they would back it all the way.
"I knew we'd get a response because being in the Wednesday community, I know the fans and the people of Sheffield in general have hearts of gold. We've now surpassed £18,000 which is just insane and shows what Wednesday fans are actually all about." Current Wednesday stars Will Vaulks and Barry Bannan are among those to have donated, with Leanne admitting that skipper Bannan's contribution in particular "means the world". "He's the heartbeat of our club," she added.
Comments on the fundraising page display Wednesday fans disowning Houghton and shunning his actions. One person has wrote: "As a Wednesday fan I was totally sickened and embarrassed by those mindless cretins. They don't represent me or our fan base and I send my heart felt best wishes to everyone who's been affected, especially Bradley's family and friends." You can donate to the fundraiser here.
Jermain Defoe hits back and shares tribute
Jermain Defoe has urged the public to stand behind Bradley's family and continue to support the foundation (Getty Images)Jermain Defoe has revealed his disgust and sadness at his 'best friend' being mocked. Defoe became friends with Bradley before his death and has offered his thoughts to the late child's parents, Gemma and Carl, following the incident at Hillsborough. He has described Bradley as "one of the most inspirational children this world has ever seen".
The ex-footballer told the Daily Mail: "I'm appalled and saddened by the actions of the individual in question. My thoughts at this time go out to Gemma and Carl, Bradley's parents, who shouldn't have to deal with incidents like this, but rather be praised for the amazing work they are doing with the Bradley Lowery Foundation in their son's memory. I urge the public to stand behind the family and continue to support the foundation and its projects. 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."
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