Mum of Bradley Gledhill who died after a stabbing marks his 21st birthday with flypast

Bradley Gledhill was stabbed in a street fight in Park Croft, Batley last June and died later in hospital.

Tuesday would have been his 21st birthday and mum Kelly Hubbard, 41, paid for a banner to be flown from the back of a plane to celebrate his life.

Bradley, of Heckmondwike, was buried at Batley Cemetery and the plane flew overhead as Kelly and close relatives gathered, socially-distanced, at his graveside.

The plane - trailing a banner which read: “Remembering Bradley 21 2day – peng” – circled Batley at around 3pm.

Peng is slang for “good” and was one of Bradley’s favourite sayings.

Kelly said: “Bradley was loved by so many people and his death had a massive impact on the community. I’ve had thousands of messages from people who knew him.

“I wanted to do something special and unique to give people a smile amongst all the anguish.

“Bradley was my wild child, he was intelligent and boisterous. He partied like a pirate and had the courage of a lion.”

Kelly admitted Bradley may not have approved of her splashing out on the banner.

“He would have said: ‘Mother, I can spend £600 in better ways. Give me the money instead!’ But for me there is no other way to celebrate.”

Six young people charged over Bradley’s death will go on trial in April.