Man That Ploughed Into Liverpool FC Victory Parade Described as ‘Consumed by Rage’, Trial Hears.
An ex- Royal Marine was a “person consumed by fury” as he drove into scores of LFC supporters during a championship celebration, in what many feared was a terrorist attack, according to court proceedings.
“The footage was deeply disturbing.”
Victims of Paul Doyle wept as dashcam footage showed bodies spinning through the air as he accelerated into crowds and shouted: “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 against 29 victims, including eight minors.
‘Consumed by Anger’
The prosecution stated those in court that the footage from the defendant’s two-tonne Ford Galaxy proved to be “extremely graphic”. The recording revealed the father of three shouting “fucking pricks” and “move out of the way” while he headed straight for hundreds of fans, some pulling children out of the way 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 ploughed further into the crowd, accelerating while individuals were struck by his vehicle.
Scale of the Carnage
In total, the former Royal Marine injured 134 people within a mere seven-minute span – including more than 50 requiring hospital care. An infant was “miraculously” unharmed despite being left splayed on the road after the vehicle struck his stroller, the court heard.
One fan, a man named in court, was shown being thrown into the air by the car, sustaining a laceration to the back of his head, broken ribs and multiple abrasions.
Doyle was heard screaming “fuck’s sake move! Get out my fucking way!” before ploughing further into screaming supporters, including an elderly woman and children who were dragged under the car.
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” marking the football club’s championship win. The celebratory atmosphere swiftly became “terror”, it was said, as Doyle drove into oncoming fans as he attempted to pick up a friend from the parade route.
“Witnesses believed what was taking place constituted a terrorist incident.”
Rampage Halted by Heroic Act
As bodies lay on the ground, the vehicle’s path was stopped by a former soldier, Dan Barr, who climbed into a rear passenger seat and forced the gearstick into park. Despite this, Doyle continued pressing the gas pedal, the court heard.
During questioning, the defendant stated he acted in a “blind panic” because he feared for his life. However, the prosecution argued that the video demonstrated the defendant “just lost his temper in his desire to get to where he wanted to get to”. It was further stated: “Consumed by anger, he targeted the crowd and in doing so his intent was to cause serious injury.”
Dangerous Driving Prior to Incident
Footage showed the driver had been driving dangerously before he reached the city centre, overtaking cars dangerously and jumping red lights. He disregarded traffic diversion measures and weaved around other vehicles, including an ambulance and police cars, as he approached the packed streets.
The defendant is understood to be facing a jail term of more than 10 years at his sentencing hearing.