Football fan’s behavior in making fun of mascot Bradley Lowery’s passing during a game against his preferred side was deemed “utterly deplorable” by a judge.
Following an incident at Friday’s match between Sheffield Wednesday and Sunderland, Dale Houghton, 31, pleaded guilty in court to a public order offense.
Pictures of two guys laughing at Hillsborough Stadium on Wednesday went viral on X, the successor to Twitter, with one of them—Houghton—holding a photo of Bradley up for the camera.
Bradley, a supporter of Sunderland, won the nation’s affection during his battle with neuroblastoma, but he passed away at the age of six in 2017.
In the months before to his passing, he and former Black Cats striker Jermain Defoe led England out at Wembley as the club’s mascot.
He was informed by District Judge James Gould that “your actions are utterly deplorable” and that all possible punishments, including a prison sentence, were on the table.
Judge Gould claimed to have seen the photo that was in circulation.
“You are holding up your phone and you were plainly reveling in what you were doing,” he said to Houghton.
The defendant, who has blonde hair and a beard, was seated in the dock, two security guards on either side of him, and he was dressed in a pink coat over a gray sweatshirt and a pair of grey joggers.
In a handwritten statement, Bradley’s mother Gemma said: “This image has made me feel so many emotions, I find it hard to put into words.” He listened as prosecutor Jade Scott read this passage aloud.
She called it “disrespectful” to not only her kid but also to other youngsters with cancer.
I’m outraged that these two men used this picture of Bradley to elicit a response from the Sunderland supporters, Ms. Lowery said.
The statement continued to say that the occurrence was “unforgivable” and that “she has nothing but loving memories of Bradley,” according to Judge Gould.
Houghton, of Black Moor Road, Wickersley, Rotherham, provided “full and frank admissions” during his police interrogation, according to Ms. Scott, who testified in court.
She claimed he informed the cops he was having “enjoyable banter” and “that was the reason he was smiling”
Defense attorney Constance Coombs claimed that her client was “disgusted by what he did.”
He “took it too far,” according to Ms. Coombs, after there had been “mutual goading” between the Wednesday and Sunderland supporters.
She said that Sheffield United flags were being waved at the home crowd by Sunderland supporters, and that “my client took the regrettable decision to show the picture of Bradley Lowery.”
He acted “out of character,” according to Ms. Coombs, and “he’s very sorry for what he did,” she added.
The lawyer claimed that because of what her client did, who worked as a window fitter, lost his job.
“His behavior was completely unacceptable,” she stated.
And she added: “It maybe alcohol plays more in relation to the offence than he may have originally have recognised.”
Houghton admitted 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.
