Man Who Drove Into Liverpool FC Parade Was ‘Consumed by Rage’, Trial Told.
An ex- Royal Marines Commando was a “person consumed by fury” as he mowed down dozens of LFC fans at a championship celebration, an incident many initially feared to be a act of terrorism, a court has heard.
“The footage was profoundly upsetting.”
Victims of Paul Doyle cried while dashcam footage depicted bodies spinning through the air as he accelerated into crowds while screaming: “Get out of the way!”
Doyle, 54, is due to be sentenced on Tuesday following his guilty plea at the start of his trial last month to 31 offences involving 21 adults and eight children.
‘A Man in a Rage’
The prosecution stated those in court that the video evidence from the defendant’s two-tonne Ford Galaxy was “truly shocking”. The recording revealed the parent yelling “fucking pricks” as well as “fucking move” while he headed straight for hundreds of fans, with people frantically dragging children to safety as he blasted the horn.
It was stated in court that Doyle was a “individual whose anger whose anger had completely taken hold of him” as he continued driving into the mass of people, speeding up while individuals were struck by his vehicle.
Extent of the Injuries
Overall, the former Royal Marine injured 134 individuals within a mere seven-minute span – including more than 50 who needed hospital treatment. An infant was “miraculously” uninjured despite being left splayed on the road when Doyle’s car hit his pram, according to testimony.
A supporter, a man named in court, was seen being launched into the air by the vehicle, sustaining a laceration on his head, broken ribs and multiple abrasions.
The defendant was heard screaming “fuck’s sake move! Get out of my path!” prior to driving deeper into panicked fans, among them an older woman and young children who became trapped beneath the vehicle.
Celebration Descends into Chaos
Speaking to a full court, the prosecution said about 1 million people had attended “what they thought would be a day of joyfulness” to celebrate the football club’s championship win. Scenes of jubilation swiftly became “terror”, the prosecutor said, as Doyle drove into oncoming fans while trying to collect a companion who had been at the parade.
“Witnesses believed the events unfolding was a terrorist attack.”
Rampage Halted by Heroic Act
With injured people on the street, the vehicle’s path was brought to a halt by a former soldier, a man identified in court, who entered the back of the car and held the car’s gear selector in “park”. Even then, Doyle kept his foot on the accelerator, the court heard.
During questioning, Doyle claimed he acted in a “blind panic” because he feared for his life. However, prosecutors contended that the dashcam footage showed Doyle “simply lost control in his desire to get to where he wanted to get to”. The prosecutor added: “Consumed by anger, he drove into the crowd and in doing so he intended to cause them serious harm.”
Dangerous Driving Prior to Incident
Footage indicated Doyle had been driving dangerously before he reached the city centre, undertaking cars at speed and jumping red lights. He ignored traffic diversion measures and bypassed other cars, including an ambulance and police cars, as he entered the crowds.
The defendant is expected to receive a prison sentence of more than 10 years when he is sentenced on Tuesday.
