THIS is the heartbreaking moment a Sky News presenter broke down in tears live on air while covering the Southport killer’s sentencing.
Axel Rudakubana, 18, is appearing at Liverpool Crown Court after being convicted of killing three children at a Taylor Swift workshop in Southport, Merseyside.
The horror attack on July 29 last year left Bebe King, six, Eslie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Da silva Aguiar, nine, dead.
It comes as Rudakubana has been removed from court after shouting: “I feel ill!”
He had been due to stand trial on Monday but dramatically changed his pleas and admitted all 16 charges – including three counts of murder and 10 of attempted murder.
Sky News’ Sarah Jane Mee broke down in tears as she read out details of the hearing to camera.
As Rudakubana is sentenced today:
- Teen refuses to enter court and causes sentencing to be delayed
- He then shouts as proceedings begin, claiming “I’m ill”, and is ordered to leave the court
- Killer chillingly told police “I’m glad they’re dead” after murdering three girls
- Victims’ families are shown CCTV of the horror attack
The presenter was speaking outside the court, explaining that they couldn’t go inside the sentencing with cameras.
As she recounted the horror details of July 29 she took a moment before continuing to speak to a guest.
She said: “I’m sorry, it’s just so distressing, isn’t it?
“We’re here for those girls and their families, so [I’ll] try not to get upset.”
A few hours later when court resumed she had to fight back tears again when reading the victim impact statement.
One viewer wrote on X: “The Sky News reporter breaking down in tears reading out details is absolutely gut wrenching.
“She doesn’t need to apologise. It’s horrific for us to hear never mind have to say it out loud on live telly.”
The court heard details of the children’s injuries that were so horrific, their parents asked the media not to repeat them.
OUTRAGE IN COURT
The killer began shouting: “I feel ill, I’m not fine, I feel ill.”
His defence counsel told the court he has not eaten for “a number of days”.
He was removed from the hearing and checked over by medical staff, as proceedings continued in his absence.
The court has heard how Rudakubana had armed himself with a 20cm knife as he prepared to put his murderous plan into action last summer.
He was arrested minutes later, before being charged over the horror attack.
Details about his background emerged following his conviction on Monday, including how he had been flagged three times to anti-terror programme Prevent, but no further action was taken.
