Driver Who Ploughed Into Liverpool FC Victory Parade Described as ‘Consumed by Rage’, Court Told.
A former Royal Marines Commando was a “person consumed by fury” as he drove into dozens of LFC supporters during a victory parade, an incident many initially feared to be a terrorist attack, a court has heard.
“The video was truly shocking.”
Those injured of Paul Doyle cried while dashcam footage showed bodies spinning through the air as he accelerated into crowds and shouted: “Fucking hell, move!”
The 54-year-old defendant will learn his fate on Tuesday following his guilty plea at the start of his trial last month to 31 offences involving 29 victims, including eight minors.
‘A Man in a Rage’
Prosecutors warned those in court that the footage from Doyle’s large people carrier was “truly shocking”. The recording revealed the parent yelling “expletives” and “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.
It was stated in court that Doyle acted as a “individual whose anger had completely overpowered him” as he continued driving into the mass of people, speeding up while individuals were struck by his vehicle.
Extent of the Injuries
In total, the former Royal Marine injured 134 individuals in just seven minutes – including more than 50 requiring hospital care. An infant was “remarkably” uninjured even though he was left on the roadway after the vehicle struck his stroller, according to testimony.
A supporter, a man named in court, was shown being thrown into the air by the vehicle, sustaining a laceration to the back of his head, rib fractures and multiple abrasions.
The defendant could be heard shouting “for God’s sake move! Get out my fucking way!” prior to driving deeper into screaming supporters, including an elderly woman and children who became trapped beneath the vehicle.
Celebration Descends into Chaos
Addressing a packed courtroom, lawyers said about 1 million people had attended “an event they believed to be a day of joyfulness” marking the football club’s championship win. The celebratory atmosphere turned to “terror”, the prosecutor said, when the driver entered the crowd as he attempted to pick up a friend who had been at the parade.
“Some at the scene thought that what was taking place constituted a terrorist incident.”
Rampage Halted by Heroic Act
As bodies lay on the ground, Doyle’s rampage was brought to a halt by an ex-army member, Dan Barr, 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 stated he reacted in a “blind panic” due to a fear for his safety. However, prosecutors contended that the video showed Doyle “simply lost control in his determination to reach his destination”. It was further stated: “In a rage, he targeted the crowd and in doing so he intended to cause them serious harm.”
Dangerous Driving Prior to Incident
Footage indicated the driver had been driving dangerously prior to entering downtown, undertaking cars at speed and running red lights. He disregarded traffic diversion measures and bypassed other vehicles, 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.