Sheffield Wednesday

A Sheffield Wednesday supporter who taunted rival fans by mocking The death of Bradley Lowery has been given a 12-week suspended prison sentence.

Dale Houghton, 32, from Rotherham, was seen laughing as he held up an image of The six-year-old at a match against Sunderland - The Team Bradley supported before.

Houghton, who admitted a Public Order offence, was also banned from attending any football match for five years.

His actions were branded " disgraceful".

Houghton had previously pleaded guilty to one count of intentionally causing harassment, alarm or distress at Sheffield Magistrates' Court on 2 October.

He was charged after pictures of him brandishing Bradley's photograph during The Match at Wednesday's Hillsborough Stadium on 29 September were circulated on X, formerly Twitter.

Houghton later described his behaviour to police as " enjoyable banter" and said he had " found it funny".

At Sheffield Magistrates' Court on Friday he was ordered to carry out 200 hours unpaid work, as well as being given The 12-week sentence, by District Judge Marcus Waite.

Mr Waite said Houghton's " reckless and foolish" actions had " inflicted more trauma on an already bereaved family".

Suspending The Sentence for 18 Months , Mr Waite said: " Your actions That Day were utterly appalling, your behaviour disgraceful.

" You showed callous disrespect to a brave young man who was rightly held in The highest esteem by football fans everywhere. "

Bradley, from Blackhall Colliery , County Durham , was diagnosed with neuroblastoma - a rare type of Cancer - When he was 18 Months old.

He went on to be Sunderland 's mascot and became " best mates" with his hero, striker Jermain Defoe .

Source of news: bbc.com