A 31-year-old Sheffield Wednesday fan has been charged with a public order offence for showing an image of Bradley Lowery on his phone during their Championship fixture against Sunderland
A 31-year-old football fan has been charged with a public order offence after allegedly mocking Bradley Lowery with a photograph on his phone as Sheffield Wednesday played Sunderland.
Dale Houghton, 31, from Rotherham, has been called to appear before Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on Monday morning. Police have also applied for a football banning order which will stop him attending fixtures
A 27-year-old man was also arrested on Saturday before being released on police bail as further enquiries take place. Sunderland fan Bradley suffered from a rare cancer affecting children and died in 2017 at the age of six.
South Yorkshire Police had previously confirmed that two men had been arrested following Wednesday’s 3-0 home defeat to Sunderland on Friday.
Photos had emerged on social media after the game of a man holding a photo of Bradley on his phone in the direction of Sunderland fans, with both of the men appearing to be laughing.
Bradley was diagnosed with a rare cancer neuroblastoma at just 18 months old and passed back in 2017 after making a close friendship with former Sunderland striker and his favourite player Jermain Defoe.
After the photos were shared online, police visited Bradley’s parents Carl and Gemma Lowery as Sheffield Wednesday released a statement.
The statement read: “We are aware of the images circulating and have launched an immediate investigation together with South Yorkshire Police.
“We roundly condemn this outrageous and utterly deplorable behaviour. We can only apologise for the undoubted distress caused to Bradley’s family and friends.”
The Bradley Lowery Foundation then thanked fans for condemning those responsible.
Mrs Lowery said: “Today has not been the Saturday I was expecting, after receiving multiple calls and messages regarding a photo circulating on social media.
“I have received a visit from the Durham Police to check that I am ok, and they have notified myself and Carl that Yorkshire police are now dealing with the situation and taking it very serious. Understandably people are angry, if I wasn’t so upset I’d be angry too.”
A group of Sheffield Wednesday fans then offered further support with a fundraising page for the foundation on GoFundMe.
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