Driver Who Ploughed Through Liverpool FC Parade Described as ‘In a Rage’, Trial Hears.
An ex- Royal Marine acted as a “man in a rage” when he mowed down scores of Liverpool football club supporters at a championship celebration, in what many feared was a terrorist attack, according to court proceedings.
“The footage is truly shocking.”
Those injured of Paul Doyle wept while video from the car’s camera showed bodies spinning through the air as he accelerated into crowds while screaming: “Fucking hell, move!”
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 involving 21 adults and eight children.
‘Consumed by Anger’
Prosecutors stated the court that the video evidence from Doyle’s large people carrier proved to be “truly shocking”. It showed the parent shouting “expletives” as well as “fucking move” 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 had completely overpowered him” as he continued driving into the mass of people, accelerating while individuals were struck by his vehicle.
Scale of the Carnage
In total, the ex-marine injured 134 people in just seven minutes – including more than 50 who needed hospital treatment. An infant was “remarkably” unharmed despite being left splayed on the road after the vehicle struck his stroller, according to testimony.
A supporter, a man named in court, was seen being launched into the air by the car, sustaining a cut to the back of his head, rib fractures and numerous scrapes.
Doyle could be heard shouting “fuck’s sake move! Get out of my path!” prior to driving deeper into panicked fans, among them an older woman and young children who became trapped beneath the vehicle.
Scene of Jubilation Turns to Horror
Addressing a packed courtroom, lawyers said approximately a million individuals were present at “what they thought would be a day of joyfulness” to celebrate Liverpool winning their 20th league title. Scenes of jubilation turned to “horror”, the prosecutor said, when the driver entered the crowd as he attempted to pick up a friend who had been at the parade.
“Witnesses thought that the events unfolding constituted a terrorist incident.”
Brave Intervention Stops Driver
As bodies lay on the ground, the vehicle’s path was stopped by an ex-army member, a man identified in court, who climbed into a rear passenger seat and forced the gearstick into park. Even then, Doyle continued pressing the gas pedal, the court heard.
During questioning, the defendant claimed he acted in a “blind panic” due to a fear for his safety. However, the prosecution argued that the dashcam footage showed Doyle “simply lost control in his desire to get to where he wanted to get to”. The prosecutor added: “In a rage, he drove into the crowd and in doing so he intended to cause them serious harm.”
Dangerous Driving Prior to Incident
The video indicated the driver was driving recklessly before he reached the city centre, overtaking cars dangerously and running red lights. He ignored traffic diversion measures and bypassed other cars, including an ambulance and police cars, as he entered the crowds.
Doyle is expected to receive a prison sentence of more than 10 years when he is sentenced on Tuesday.
