Sky News host breaks down in tears outside court at Southport killer sentencing

Sky News' Sarah Jane Mee broke down in tears as she reported from Southport killer Axel Rudakubana's sentencing at Liverpool Crown Court.

The presenter was speaking outside the court, explaining that they couldn't go inside the sentencing with cameras. At the time, Rudakubana was also not in the courtroom, after complaining he felt unwell.

Sarah spoke of the horrific day which saw Rudakubana, 18, kill Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine. Despite pleading guilty to the murders, it's not expected the killer will receive a whole-life sentence. After, Sarah took a moment before continuing the conversation with a guest. "I'll just take a breath after that," she said.

She could be heard sniffling throughout the rest of the interview. Sarah 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."

Rudakubana's sentencing got off to a dramatic start. He was removed from court, with his lawyer Stanley Reiz KC saying: "The defendant says he's experiencing chest pains.

"He says he feels too ill to continue and would like to see a paramedic. It's important that this case continues, but those are my instructions."

Once underway, graphic details of the horrific incident were read out, with CCTV also showed in court. Dance teacher Leanne Lucas said that the killer "moved on to a second child and then a third" – and it was only when he got to her and pushed a knife into her back that she realised he was armed.

Another teacher hid one child in a toilet, while two window cleaners tried to help after seeing the victims "covered in blood".

Rudakubana also attacked a businessman, who was working in the same building the Taylor Swift dance event was at, with a knife.

When police arrived, Rudakubana was found with a bloody kitchen knife. He dropped it when the officers ordered him to.

Many of the brave family members of the poor victims stayed in court as the CCTV footage was shown. They were given the option to leave multiple times, but incredibly chose to stay.

Rudakubana will be sentenced later this afternoon. He is not expected the receive a while-life order as he was 17 when he killed the young girls, and that sentence can usually only be imposed on criminals aged 21 and above, or on criminals aged 18 to 20 under exceptional circumstances.