Sheffield Wednesday fan pleads guilty after mocking death of mascot Bradley Lowery

A Sheffield Wednesday fan has pleaded guilty after mocking the death of football mascot Bradley Lowery during a match against his favourite team.

The Sunderland fan captured the nation’s heart during his battle with neuroblastoma. He died, aged six, in 2017.

He was a mascot for his beloved club and, in the months before his death, led England out at Wembley alongside former Black Cats striker Jermain Defoe.

Pictures on social media showed Dale Houghton, 31, laughing at Hillsborough Stadium alongside another man - while Houghton held up a picture of Bradley to the camera.

Houghton, from Rotherham, admitted a public order offence at Sheffield Magistrates' Court.

District Judge James Gould told him: "Your actions are utterly deplorable."

The judge added that all sentence options were open, including a prison sentence.

South Yorkshire Police previously said it had applied for a football banning order.

In a statement, Bradley's mother Gemma Lowery said: "I want to thank South Yorkshire Police and Sheffield Wednesday Football Club and their amazing fans for their quick response and condemnation of this disgusting act.

"I have been informed that one individual has pleaded guilty in court today and I hope that this is a lesson to everyone that childhood cancer is no joke.

"My baby boy showed the world more strength and courage in his six years on earth and I know he would not want me to dwell on the small minority of people who think this is acceptable behaviour."

Sheffield Wednesday fans launched a fundraiser to show support for The Bradley Lowery Foundation after Friday's incident and it has already raised over £18,000.

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