Bradley Lowery's photo used to taunt Sunderland fans at Coventry

Summarised from 3 outlets · 5 reports · Updated 2 Nov, 08:59 · Archive

A 14-year-old boy handed himself to police after video footage appeared to show a Coventry fan using a photograph of Bradley Lowery to taunt Sunderland supporters.

A 14-year-old boy handed himself to West Midlands Police after video footage appeared to show a Coventry fan taunting Sunderland supporters with a photograph of Bradley Lowery during a Premier League match at Coventry Building Society Arena on Saturday. Coventry won 3-1.

Bradley Lowery, from Blackhall Colliery, County Durham, died aged six in 2017 after battling neuroblastoma, a rare form of childhood cancer. His case captured national attention, and he formed a close friendship with then-Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe. The Bradley Lowery Foundation was established in August 2017 to support families fundraising for treatment or equipment not readily available or covered by the NHS.

In a statement released through the foundation, Bradley's mother Gemma Lowery said she found the incident heartbreaking. She described the photograph used as one of her favourite pictures of him, taken on a day when he was happy and having fun. "Those moments were precious because they were few and far between," she said. "So much of Bradley's short life was spent battling cancer and enduring treatments no child should ever face."

Gemma added: "I'm all for football banter, but surely mocking a child who died from cancer is not banter?" She stated her son "deserves to be remembered with love, not hate" and called on the young person's family to help him understand how hurtful his actions were. She asked that no hatred be directed towards him, hoping instead that he would learn from the incident.

West Midlands Police confirmed they were investigating. "A thorough investigation has been launched, and a 14-year-old boy has since handed himself in and will be spoken with in due course," a spokesman said. "We understand the upset and outrage this video has caused in the community and to the victim's family." Coventry City Football Club also confirmed they were investigating the video footage and working closely with the police.

How it is being reported

• West Midlands Police launch investigation as 14-year-old hands himself in after Coventry City incidentPolice are investigating after a 14-year-old handed himself in over a Bradley Lowery incident at Coventry CityShields Gazette · 2 Nov, 08:37
• 14-year-old boy hands himself to police over Bradley Lowery taunt at Coventry-Sunderland matchThe Black Cats fan was six years old when he passed away in 2017 following a battle with neuroblastomaChronicleLive · 1 Nov, 18:01
• West Midlands Police launch investigation as 14-year-old hands himself in after Coventry City incidentGemma Lowery has spoken out after footage circulated appearing to show a Coventry City supporter using a photograph of her late son to taunt Sunderland fansSunderland Echo · 1 Nov, 15:40
• Bradley Lowery's heartbroken mam brands Coventry fan 'cruel' after picture used to taunt Sunderland fansGemma Lowery has said her son 'deserves to be remembered with love, not hate'ChronicleLive · 1 Nov, 10:07
• Bradley Lowery's mother Gemma makes heartbreaking plea after alleged Coventry City fan tauntGemma Lowery has spoken out after footage circulated appearing to show a Coventry City supporter using a photograph of her late son to taunt Sunderland fansSunderland Echo · 1 Nov, 08:54

In this story: Bradley Lowery · Gemma Lowery · Sunderland · Coventry City · West Midlands Police · Blackhall Colliery · County Durham

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log