Live updates as Sheffield Wednesday fan Dale Houghton is sentenced for Bradley Lowery photo taunt
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Live updates as Sheffield Wednesday fan Dale Houghton is sentenced for Bradley Lowery photo taunt
Key Events
- Sheffield Wednesday fan Dale Houghton is set to come before Sheffield Magistrates' Court to be sentenced after he taunted rival Sunderland fans with a picture of young cancer victim Bradley Lowery
- Houghton was warned he could be sent to prison, at the conclusion of the last hearing when he admitted to a public order offence
- We will be bringing you all the latest news on this sentencing hearing, live from court
Dale Houghton: First photo of Sheffield Wednesday fan outside court ahead of Bradley Lowery hearing
Breaking news story from The Star ahead of proceedings getting underway this afternoon.
More pictures of Dale Houghton arriving at Sheffield Magistrate's Court
Here are more pictures of Dale Houghton arriving at Sheffield Magistrate's Court today (November 17).
Judge this afternoon will be different to one who told Houghton he may go to jail
Houghton's case today is expected to be heard by District Judge, Marcus Waite.
It means it hasn't been reserved to the judge from the last hearing who warned the 32-year-old 'all sentencing options were open', including prison.
Dale Houghton tells reporters at door he's "extremely sorry"
Reporter for The Star says Dale Houghton briefly told reporters at the door of Sheffield Magistrates' Court he was "extremely sorry".
First pictures - Dale Houghton arrives at court for sentencing over Bradley Lowrey taunt scandal
Photographer Dean Atkins captured this picture of Dale Houghton arriving at Sheffield Magistrates' Court this afternoon (November 17).
Picture by Dean Atkins
Dale Houghton has reportedly arrived at court
Dale Houghton has reportedly arrived at Sheffield Magistrates' Court.
Proceedings are likely to begin sometime between 2pm and 4pm.
No sign of Houghton at Sheffield Magistrates Court as of yet
Reporter for The Star Sarah Marshall has been waiting at Sheffield Magistrates' Court since this morning in case Houghton's case was called on early (not unheard of in courts).
She writes:
Bradley Lowery: Caring Sunderland fans now raising cash in memory of Jude Mellon-Jameson, son of Owls’ goalie
Following Houghton's actions, SWFC fans donated huge amounts of money to the Bradley Lowrey Foundation to show Sunderland fans he did not speak for them.
In the days afterwards, Sunderland fans returned in kind by raising cash in memory of Jude Mellon-Jameson, son of former Owls goalie Aaron James, who died the same week after a two-year battle with cancer aged five.
Speaking in October, organiser Stephen Langley said: "After all the negativity and shocking pictures that came out after Sunderland v Sheffield Wednesday on Friday, regards our beautiful Bradley, all Sheffield Wednesday fans have raised an amazing £10,000 up to now for the Bradley Lowery Foundation.
"Amongst all this, they've lost a young lad aged five from the same awful condition as Bradley. Let us as Sunderland ATC show cancer has no colours and return the favour and help raise some money for this lad's family who might put it to good use like a memorial garden etc. Football takes a back step and unites when needed. Let's do this SAFC."
Dale Houghton lost job following outcry, told court he felt "disgusted" with himself over his actions
In October, Houghton's solicitor Constance Coombs told Sheffield Magistrates' Court her client was "disgusted by what he did".
Ms Coombs said there had been "mutual goading" between the Wednesday and Sunderland fans and he "took it too far".
She said the Sunderland fans were waving Sheffield United badges at the home fans and "my client took the deplorable decision to show the picture of Bradley Lowery".
Ms Coombs said that what he did was "out of character" and "he's very remorseful for his actions".
The solicitor said her client was a window-fitter and he had lost his job as a result of what he did.
She said: "His behaviour was totally unacceptable."
And she added: "It may be alcohol plays more in relation to the offence than he may have originally have recognised."
Houghton admitted one count of intentionally causing harassment, alarm or distress by displaying any writing, sign or other visible representation, which is threatening, abusive or insulting.
He was given bail on condition that he does not attend regulated football grounds in the UK, does not go within a mile of Hillsborough Stadium on Sheffield Wednesday match days and completes a drug intervention programme.
Houghton left the court by a back door with security staff helping him get into a waiting black car as he concealed his face with the pink hood of his coat.
When England star Harry Kane joined in on fundraising effort
Charity efforts by Sunderland and Wednesdays fans carried on in force in the weeks after Houghton's actions.
In fact, England captain Harry Kane even got involved when teamed up with Bradley's Bradley's 'best friend' - former Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe - and TheWinnr.com, in the hope of raising money for Super Brad's Pad - a luxury holiday home set up for families of poorly children to make special memories.
Writing on Instagram in October 2023, Kane, who plays for Bayern Munich, said: "Delighted to be supporting the Bradley Lowery Foundation by donating these prizes (a 24 carat gold football signed by the England team, a signed England shirt and a signed Bayern Munich shirt) - hit this link (TheWinnr.com) to be in with a chance of winning and raise money for an incredible cause."