Emotional evidence in disaster court case

A FORMER police officer broke down as he recalled the Hillsborough disaster to a jury.

Stephen Ellis was an Inspector with South Yorkshire Police on duty outside the stadium on the day 96 Liverpool fans were crushed to death on the Leppings Lane terrace.

A huge crowd had built up outside the ground at the turnstiles for Liverpool fans, Preston Crown Court has heard, and exit gates were opened to relieve the pressure and let fans in as kick-off approached for the 50,000 all-ticket FA Cup semi-final match in Sheffield on April 15, 1989.

But once the gates were opened many fans went inside and down a tunnel, leading them on to already packed central pens. David Duckenfield, who the prosecution alleges bore responsibility as match commander, is accused of “extraordinary failings” in not monitoring the overcrowding in the central pens, not blocking the tunnel so no more fans could get into the central pens, and not ensuring supporters were directed away from the pens behind the goal to less crowded areas.

Mr Ellis said by 2.45pm, a dense crowd had built up amidst “bloody chaos” outside the ground, the jury has previously heard, with more of the 24,000 Liverpool fans arriving for kick-off, mounted police and foot patrols overwhelmed and spectators being crushed at the turnstiles.

Duckenfield, 74, of Bournemouth, denies the gross negligence manslaughter of 95 Liverpool fans. Former Sheffield Wednesday club secretary Graham Mackrell, 69, of Hertfordshire, denies health and safety offences. The trial continues.