A Sky News reporter broke down in tears during a live broadcast as she recounted 'distressing' details of the Southport attack that resulted in the deaths of three children.

On the day of Axel Rudakubana's sentencing, Sarah-Jane Mee reported live from outside Liverpool Crown Court. Earlier this week, the 18-year-old admitted to fatally stabbing Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, at a Taylor Swift dance class in Merseyside on July 29, 2022.

Rudakubana also pleaded guilty to attempting to murder eight other children, whose names cannot be disclosed for legal reasons, as well as the class instructor Leanne Lucas and local businessman John Hayes.

While reporting on Thursday afternoon, Ms. Mee shared harrowing details revealed during the sentencing hearing, specifically a statement from prosecutor Deanna Heer KC, warning viewers that the content would be "really distressing, as you would expect from this case".

Ms. Mee informed viewers that Mr. Hayes was in the building during the attack and confronted Rudakubana, who "swiped with a knife as he tried to grab hold of the weapon." He was "stabbed in the leg and fell to the ground shouting for help."

Continuing, Ms. Mee recounted how window cleaners passing by saw instructor Leanne Lucas covered in blood, shouting, "someone's stabbing the kids". One window cleaner entered the building but retreated upon spotting the attacker at the top of the stairs holding a knife.

At the top of the stairs, the attacker was found standing over Bebe King’s body, holding a kitchen knife. One window cleaner rescued Bebe, carrying her out while screaming at the extent of her injuries. Upon police arrival, chaos and panic enveloped the scene.

After detailing the harrowing statement, Ms. Mee paused, struggling to compose herself. Her voice shook as she said, "I'll just take a breath after that."

As the camera focused on the courthouse exterior, Ms. Mee took a moment before apologizing to viewers, saying, "Right, sorry, it’s just so distressing, isn’t it?"

Refocusing on her interview with Tawhid Islam, she emphasized, "We’re here for those girls and the families, so I’ll try not to get upset because it’s such an important day for them and this horror came to their door."

During the sentencing hearing, Rudakubana was removed from the dock after he began shouting uncontrollably. One family member shouted “coward” as others shook their heads during his exit. Rudakubana screamed, “It’s not my fault, I feel ill,” and called for a paramedic.

The court also viewed shocking CCTV footage showing a child attempting to escape the building but being forcibly pulled back inside. Gasps and sobs arose from the public gallery as the girl was seen re-emerging and collapsing outside. One woman sobbed, covering her face, comforted by those beside her.

Additionally, the court was informed that Rudakubana expressed “I’m glad they’re dead” while being held in custody after the attack. Prosecutors described the victims’ injuries as “difficult to explain as anything other than sadistic in nature.”

Rudakubana is scheduled to be sentenced for the killings later today.