Dale Houghton, a 31-year-old man from Rotherham, has been charged with a public order offence following reports that an image of Bradley Lowery was used to taunt opposition football fans. The alleged incident took place on Friday, during Sheffield Wednesday’s home game against Sunderland, the team that Bradley supported before he sadly passed away from cancer in 2017.
Mr Houghton has been charged under section 4a of the Public Order Act, which refers to intentionally causing harassment, alarm or distress. He has also been issued a football banning order. The accused has been remanded in custody and is scheduled to appear before Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on Monday.
South Yorkshire Police have reported that a 27-year-old man was also arrested on Saturday, but has since been released on bail whilst further enquiries take place.
Sheffield Wednesday supporters have donated a significant sum of money to a foundation established in Bradley Lowery’s memory, following the reports of this alleged offence. The Bradley Lowery Foundation has issued a statement thanking the fans for their unwavering support.
This is not the first time that Bradley Lowery’s image has been at the centre of a public order incident. In 2017, a Bournemouth supporter was jailed for inciting racial hatred after describing the boy as a “cancerous little c***” on social media
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