Driver That Drove Into Liverpool FC Victory Parade Described as ‘Consumed by Rage’, Court Told.
An ex- Royal Marines Commando was a “man in a rage” as he mowed down dozens of LFC supporters during a victory parade, in what many feared was a terrorist attack, a court has heard.
“The footage was truly shocking.”
Victims of Paul Doyle cried as video from the car’s camera depicted people being thrown into the air while he sped towards the gathering and shouted: “Get out of the way!”
The 54-year-old defendant is due to be sentenced 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’
The prosecution stated the 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 “expletives” as well as “fucking move” while he headed straight for hundreds of fans, with people frantically dragging children to safety as he blasted the horn.
It was stated in court 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.
Extent of the Injuries
Overall, the former Royal Marine injured 134 individuals within a mere seven-minute span – with over fifty who needed hospital treatment. An infant was “remarkably” uninjured even though he was left on the roadway after the vehicle struck his stroller, according to testimony.
One fan, a man named in court, was seen being launched into the air by the vehicle, sustaining a laceration on his head, broken ribs and multiple abrasions.
The defendant could be heard shouting “fuck’s sake move! Get out of my path!” before ploughing further into panicked fans, among them an older woman and young children who were dragged under the car.
Scene of Jubilation Turns to Horror
Speaking to a full court, the prosecution said approximately a million individuals were present at “what they thought would be a joyous occasion” marking the football club’s championship win. The celebratory atmosphere swiftly became “terror”, the prosecutor said, as Doyle drove into oncoming fans as he attempted to pick up a friend who had been at the parade.
“Witnesses thought that the events unfolding was a terrorist attack.”
Rampage Halted by Heroic Act
With injured people on the street, the vehicle’s path was stopped by an ex-army member, Dan Barr, who entered the back of the car and held the car’s gear selector in “park”. Despite this, Doyle continued pressing the gas pedal, according to evidence.
In his police interview, the defendant stated he acted in a “state of sheer panic” because he feared for his life. However, prosecutors contended that the dashcam footage showed Doyle “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 as he did so he intended to cause them serious harm.”
Reckless Behavior Before the Attack
Footage showed the driver had been driving dangerously before he reached the city centre, undertaking cars at speed and running red lights. He disregarded traffic diversion measures and weaved around other cars, even emergency service vehicles, as he approached the packed streets.
Doyle is understood to be facing a prison sentence of over a decade at his sentencing hearing.
