- Jermain Defoe condemns Bradley Lowery mockery.
- Guilty plea in court.
- Funds raised for Bradley Lowery Foundation.
Former England star Jermain Defoe expresses dismay and sadness over the man who mocked the death of child mascot Bradley Lowery.
Dale Houghton, a 31-year-old from Rotherham, pleaded guilty to a public order offense at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court. This followed the circulation of a picture on social media showing two men laughing in the stands at last week’s Sheffield Wednesday vs. Sunderland FC match at Hillsborough Stadium. One of them, now identified as Houghton, was holding up an image of Bradley, who sadly passed away at the age of six in 2017.
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Jermain Defoe, who developed a close bond with Bradley while playing for Sunderland, expressed his outrage, stating that Bradley was “one of the most inspiring children in the history of the world.” Defoe conveyed his sympathy to Bradley’s parents, Gemma and Carl, and urged the public to support the Bradley Lowery Foundation, which honors the memory of the young boy.
In court, District Judge James Gould described Houghton’s actions as “abhorrent” and noted that all sentencing options, including imprisonment, were on the table. Houghton’s sentencing is set for November 17.
Bradley’s mother, Gemma Lowery, expressed her dismay upon discovering the incident on Facebook, emphasizing that it was not only disrespectful to Bradley but also to others.
She felt it could cause emotional trauma to other children with cancer and labeled the act “unforgivable.”
The incident raised almost £11,000 for The Bradley Lowery Foundation, which will build “Super Brad’s Pad,” a Scarborough vacation home for terminally ill children’s families.
Lynn Murphy, co-founder of the foundation, expressed gratitude for the incredible support received and highlighted the positive impact the vacation home will have on bereaved families and children undergoing hospital treatment.
Sheffield Wednesday issued an apology to Bradley’s family and friends shortly after the incident. As part of his parole, Houghton cannot attend registered football matches or visit Hillsborough Stadium when Sheffield Wednesday plays at home.
