Man That Drove Into LFC Victory Parade Was ‘In a Rage’, Court Told.
A former Royal Marine was a “man in a rage” when he drove into dozens of LFC fans during a victory parade, an incident many initially feared to be a act of terrorism, according to court proceedings.
“The footage is profoundly upsetting.”
Those injured of Paul Doyle wept as video from the car’s camera showed people being thrown into the air as he accelerated into crowds and shouted: “Get out of the way!”
The 54-year-old defendant will learn his fate 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’
Prosecutors stated those in court that the video evidence from the defendant’s two-tonne Ford Galaxy proved to be “truly shocking”. The recording revealed the father of three shouting “fucking pricks” and “move out of the way” as he drove towards a large crowd of supporters, with people frantically dragging children to safety as his car horn blared.
It was stated in court that Doyle acted as a “individual whose anger whose anger had completely taken hold of him” as he ploughed further into the crowd, accelerating as people collided with his car.
Extent of the Injuries
Overall, the ex-marine injured 134 individuals in just seven minutes – with over fifty requiring hospital care. An infant was “remarkably” uninjured even though he was left on the roadway when Doyle’s car hit his pram, the court heard.
A supporter, a man named in court, was seen being launched into the air by the car, suffering a laceration to the back of his head, rib fractures and numerous scrapes.
Doyle was heard screaming “fuck’s sake move! Get out my fucking way!” 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
Speaking to a full court, lawyers 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. The celebratory atmosphere swiftly became “horror”, it was said, as Doyle drove into oncoming fans as he attempted to pick up a friend from the parade route.
“Some at the scene thought that what was taking place was a terrorist attack.”
Rampage Halted by Heroic Act
With injured people on the street, the vehicle’s path was brought to a halt by an ex-army member, Dan Barr, who climbed into a rear passenger seat and held the car’s gear selector in “park”. Even then, Doyle continued pressing the gas pedal, the court heard.
In his police interview, Doyle stated he acted in a “blind panic” because he feared for his life. Yet, the prosecution argued that the dashcam footage showed the defendant “simply lost control in his determination to reach his destination”. The prosecutor added: “Consumed by anger, he targeted the crowd and in doing so his intent was to cause serious injury.”
Reckless Behavior Before the Attack
Footage indicated Doyle had been driving dangerously before he reached the city centre, undertaking cars at speed and running red lights. He disregarded road closures and weaved around other cars, including an ambulance and police cars, as he approached the packed streets.
The defendant is expected to receive a prison sentence of more than 10 years at his sentencing hearing.
