Driver Who Drove Into Liverpool FC Parade Described as ‘Consumed by Rage’, Court Hears.
An ex- Royal Marine was a “person consumed by fury” when he drove into dozens of Liverpool football club fans at a championship celebration, an incident many initially feared to be a terrorist attack, a court has heard.
“The video was truly shocking.”
Victims of Paul Doyle wept as video from the car’s camera depicted bodies spinning through the air as he accelerated into crowds and shouted: “Fucking hell, move!”
Doyle, 54, is due to be sentenced on Tuesday after pleading guilty at the start of his trial last month to 31 criminal charges against 29 victims, including eight minors.
‘Consumed by Anger’
The prosecution warned those in court that the video evidence from Doyle’s two-tonne Ford Galaxy was “truly shocking”. It showed the parent shouting “expletives” as well as “move out of the way” while he headed straight for hundreds of fans, some pulling children out of the way as his car horn blared.
The court was told that Doyle was a “man in a rage whose anger had completely taken hold of him” as he ploughed further into the crowd, accelerating while individuals were struck by his vehicle.
Extent of the Injuries
In total, the ex-marine hurt 134 people in just seven minutes – with over fifty requiring hospital care. A six-month-old boy was “remarkably” unharmed despite being left splayed on the road after the vehicle struck his stroller, the court heard.
A supporter, Simon Nash, was shown being thrown into the air by the vehicle, sustaining a laceration to the back of his head, rib fractures and multiple abrasions.
Doyle was heard screaming “for God’s sake move! Get out my fucking way!” before ploughing further into panicked fans, including an elderly woman and children who became trapped beneath the vehicle.
Scene of Jubilation Turns to Horror
Speaking to a full court, lawyers said approximately a million individuals had attended “an event they believed to be a joyous occasion” to celebrate Liverpool winning their 20th league title. The celebratory atmosphere turned to “horror”, it was said, when the driver entered the crowd while trying to collect a companion from the parade route.
“Witnesses thought that what was taking place was a terrorist attack.”
Brave Intervention Stops Driver
As bodies lay on the ground, the vehicle’s path was brought to a halt by a former soldier, Dan Barr, who climbed into a rear passenger seat and forced the gearstick into park. Despite this, Doyle kept his foot on the accelerator, the court heard.
In his police interview, Doyle stated he reacted in a “state of sheer panic” because he feared for his life. Yet, the prosecution argued that the dashcam footage showed Doyle “just lost his temper 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.”
Reckless Behavior Before the Attack
The video showed Doyle had been driving dangerously before he reached the city centre, overtaking cars dangerously and jumping red lights. He disregarded traffic diversion measures and bypassed other vehicles, even emergency service vehicles, as he entered the crowds.
Doyle is understood to be facing a prison sentence of over a decade when he is sentenced on Tuesday.
