Sheffield Wednesday fan who mocked Sunderland mascot Bradley Lowery sentenced

• Dale Houghton told reporters he was 'extremely sorry' as he arrived at court

A Sheffield Wednesday fan who mocked the death of young mascot Bradley Lowery has been given a suspended prison sentence.

Dale Houghton, 32, was pictured on social media laughing as he held up his phone showing a photograph of Bradley to goad rival fans during a match against Sunderland at Hillsborough.

Bradley, who was a mascot for the Black Cats, died from neuroblastoma, a rare form of cancer, in 2017.

Houghton admitted public disorder over the incident, on 29 September.

He was given a 12-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, at Sheffield Magistrates Court and was ordered to do 200 hours unpaid work.

He was also given a five-year ban from Hillsborough and cannot attend away games or international matches.

District Judge Marcus Waite said: "You showed callous disrespect to a brave young man who was rightly held in the highest esteem by football fans everywhere."

The district judge said Houghton's actions were "utterly appalling" and "disgraceful".

Houghton told reporters he was "extremely sorry" as he arrived at court but made no comment as he left. 

Natalie Chapman, district Crown prosecutor, said: "The loss of Bradley Lowery to cancer was heartbreaking. His love of football holds a special memory for Sunderland and its supporters.    

"The action of Dale Houghton to use his memory to taunt a rival team is abhorrent - Houghton showed a sheer lack of care and character in doing so.

"The CPS continues to work closely with the football authorities, including the Premier League and the Football Association, police, clubs, and charities to stamp out all the appalling and horrendous incidents of tragedy chanting and gesturing."

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