Hillsborough trial: former police officer breaks down in court

Ex-South Yorkshire inspector tells jury of efforts to alleviate crush outside turnstiles

A former South Yorkshire police officer who was on duty at the 1989 FA Cup semi-final at Hillsborough, when 96 people were killed, broke down in court as he recalled that his initial reaction, after a large exit gate had been opened to relieve a crush outside the ground, had been relief.

Former inspector Stephen Ellis said at the start of his evidence in the prosecutions of the former police match commander, David Duckenfield, and the Sheffield Wednesday club secretary and safety officer, Graham Mackrell, that he had little memory of what happened that day, and found recalling it distressing.

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