Sheffield Wednesday fan Dale Houghton pleads guilty to public order offence after mocking Bradley Lowery
Bradley Lowery passed away in 2017 after a battle with cancer
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A Sheffield Wednesday fan who mocked cancer victim Bradley Lowery has pleaded guilty to a public order offence.
Houghton, 31, enraged football supporters around the world with his behaviour over the weekend.
Houghton held up an enlarged picture on his phone of Bradley, who tragically died in 2017 after a battle with neuroblastoma at the age of six.
He appeared at Sheffield Magistrates' Court today to confirm his name, address and date of birth.
A vile Sheffield Wednesday fan mocked Bradley Lowery over the weekend
PA
Houghton admitted causing harassment, alarm and distress and claimed he was high on cocaine.
District Judge James Gould slammed his 'utterly deplorable' actions and warned all sentence options were open.
Houghton could be jailed for mocking Bradley, who won the hearts of fans around the world prior to his tragic passing.
Prosecutor Jade Short said Houghton had caused a 'huge public revulsion' and found it 'enjoyable banter'.
It was also said Houghton had made a 'full and frank admission' to police following his arrest.
Bradley's mother, Gemma, branded Houghton's actions 'unforgivable'.
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."
Connie Combs, defending, said Houghton had been left 'disgusted' by his own behaviour.
She said: "There was a lot of mutual goading between the Sunderland and Sheffield Wednesday fans leading up to his deplorable decision to show the picture.
"He immediately realised he was totally out of line."
Combs also said Houghton's behaviour was 'totally out of character'.
He has now lost his job as a window fitter and is facing a lengthy ban from attending football matches.
Sheffield Wednesday's Chief Operating Officer Liam Dooley said in a statement that the club supported the investigation.
He also said they 'wholly condemn the outrageous and utterly deplorable behaviour'.
Houghton has been granted bail on condition that he doesn't attend any football matches.
He is also not allowed within a mile of the Sheffield Wednesday stadium on match days, too.
And Houghton, who is from Rotherham, will attend a drug intervention programme due to testing.
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Bradley Lowery's mother Gemma slammed football yob Dale Houghton for mocking her late son
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He will be sentenced on November 17.
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