Driver Who Drove Through Liverpool FC Parade Was ‘In a Rage’, Trial Hears.
An ex- Royal Marine acted as a “man in a rage” as he mowed down scores of Liverpool football club supporters during a victory parade, an incident many initially feared to be a act of terrorism, a court has heard.
“The footage is truly shocking.”
Those injured of Paul Doyle wept as dashcam footage depicted bodies spinning through the air while he sped towards the gathering and shouted: “Fucking hell, move!”
Doyle, 54, will learn his fate on Tuesday after pleading guilty on the first day of his trial last month to 31 criminal charges against 29 victims, including eight minors.
‘A Man in a Rage’
The prosecution stated those in court that the video evidence from the defendant’s large people carrier proved to be “extremely graphic”. The recording revealed the father of three yelling “fucking pricks” as well as “move out of the way” as he drove towards a large crowd of supporters, with people frantically dragging children to safety as he blasted the horn.
The court was told that Doyle was a “individual whose anger whose anger had completely taken hold of him” as he continued driving into the mass of people, accelerating while individuals were struck by his vehicle.
Scale of the Carnage
Overall, the ex-marine hurt 134 people within a mere seven-minute span – with over fifty who needed hospital treatment. An infant was “miraculously” unharmed 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 vehicle, sustaining a cut on his head, rib fractures and multiple abrasions.
The defendant could be heard shouting “fuck’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
Addressing a packed courtroom, the prosecution said approximately a million individuals were present at “an event they believed to be a day of joyfulness” marking Liverpool winning their 20th league title. Scenes of jubilation swiftly became “terror”, it was said, as Doyle drove into oncoming fans while trying to collect a companion from the parade route.
“Witnesses believed 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 an ex-army member, a man identified in court, who climbed into a rear passenger seat and held the car’s gear selector in “park”. Despite this, Doyle kept his foot on the accelerator, according to evidence.
In his police interview, Doyle stated he acted in a “state of sheer panic” due to a fear for his safety. However, the prosecution argued that the dashcam footage demonstrated the defendant “simply lost control 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.”
Dangerous Driving Prior to Incident
The video indicated Doyle had been driving dangerously before he reached the city centre, overtaking cars dangerously and running red lights. He disregarded road closures and bypassed other cars, even emergency service vehicles, as he entered the crowds.
Doyle is expected to receive a prison sentence of over a decade when he is sentenced on Tuesday.