Driver Who Drove Into Liverpool FC Parade Was ‘Consumed by Rage’, Trial Hears.
An ex- Royal Marine was a “person consumed by fury” when he drove into scores of Liverpool football club fans during a championship celebration, an incident many initially feared to be a terrorist attack, according to court proceedings.
“The footage is deeply disturbing.”
Victims of Paul Doyle cried while video from the car’s camera showed people being thrown into the air while he sped towards the gathering and shouted: “Get out of the way!”
Doyle, 54, is due to be sentenced on Tuesday after pleading guilty at the start of his trial last month to 31 offences against 21 adults and eight children.
‘A Man in a Rage’
The prosecution stated the court that the video evidence from the defendant’s large people carrier was “truly shocking”. It showed the father of three yelling “expletives” as well as “move out of the way” as he drove towards a large crowd of supporters, some pulling children out of the way as he blasted the horn.
It was stated in court that Doyle was a “man in a rage whose anger had completely taken hold of him” as he ploughed further into the crowd, speeding up while individuals were struck by his vehicle.
Extent of the Injuries
In total, the ex-marine hurt 134 individuals in just seven minutes – with over fifty who needed hospital treatment. A six-month-old boy was “miraculously” uninjured even though he was left on the roadway after the vehicle struck his stroller, the court heard.
One fan, Simon Nash, was shown being thrown into the air by the car, suffering a laceration to the back of his head, rib fractures and multiple abrasions.
The defendant could be heard shouting “fuck’s sake move! Get out of my path!” prior to driving deeper into screaming supporters, among them an older woman and young children who were dragged under the car.
Celebration Descends into Chaos
Addressing a packed courtroom, the prosecution said about 1 million people had attended “an event they believed to be a day of joyfulness” marking Liverpool winning their 20th league title. Scenes of jubilation turned to “terror”, it was said, as Doyle drove into oncoming fans while trying to collect a companion who had been at the parade.
“Some at the scene believed the events unfolding was a terrorist attack.”
Brave Intervention Stops Driver
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 forced the gearstick into park. Despite this, Doyle kept his foot on the accelerator, according to evidence.
In his police interview, Doyle claimed he reacted in a “state of sheer panic” because he feared for his life. Yet, the prosecution argued that the video demonstrated Doyle “just lost his temper in his desire to get to where he wanted to get to”. The prosecutor added: “Consumed by anger, he targeted the crowd and as he did so his intent was to cause serious injury.”
Reckless Behavior Before the Attack
The video indicated the driver had been driving dangerously before he reached the city centre, undertaking cars at speed and running red lights. He ignored road closures and bypassed other cars, even emergency service vehicles, as he approached the packed streets.
The defendant is understood to be facing a jail term of over a decade at his sentencing hearing.
