Driver Who Drove Through LFC Victory Parade Described as ‘In a Rage’, Court Hears.
A former Royal Marine was a “person consumed by fury” when he drove into dozens of LFC supporters at a victory parade, in what many feared was a terrorist attack, a court has heard.
“The footage is truly shocking.”
Victims of Paul Doyle wept as dashcam footage showed bodies spinning through 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 after pleading guilty at the start of his trial last month to 31 offences involving 29 victims, including eight minors.
‘Consumed by Anger’
Prosecutors stated the court that the video evidence from the defendant’s two-tonne Ford Galaxy was “extremely graphic”. The recording revealed the parent shouting “expletives” and “move out of the way” as he drove towards hundreds of fans, some pulling children out of the way as his car horn blared.
The court was told that Doyle acted as a “individual whose anger whose anger had completely taken hold of 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 individuals within a mere seven-minute span – including more than 50 who needed hospital treatment. A six-month-old boy was “remarkably” unharmed even though he was left on the roadway after the vehicle struck his stroller, the court heard.
A supporter, a man named in court, was seen being launched into the air by the vehicle, sustaining a cut on his head, rib fractures and numerous scrapes.
Doyle could be heard shouting “fuck’s sake move! Get out my fucking way!” prior to driving deeper into panicked fans, 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 were present at “what they thought would be a joyous occasion” marking Liverpool winning their 20th league title. Scenes of jubilation turned to “terror”, the prosecutor 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 the events unfolding constituted a terrorist incident.”
Rampage Halted by Heroic Act
With injured people on the street, the vehicle’s path was stopped by a former soldier, Dan Barr, who entered the back of the car and forced the gearstick into park. Despite this, Doyle continued pressing the gas pedal, according to evidence.
During questioning, the defendant claimed he acted in a “state of sheer panic” because he feared for his life. Yet, prosecutors contended that the video showed Doyle “simply lost control in his desire to get to where he wanted to get to”. It was further stated: “In a rage, he targeted the crowd and as he did so his intent was to cause serious injury.”
Reckless Behavior Before the Attack
Footage indicated the driver had been driving dangerously prior to entering downtown, overtaking cars dangerously and jumping red lights. He disregarded road closures and weaved around other vehicles, even emergency service vehicles, as he approached the packed streets.
The defendant is understood to be facing a prison sentence of more than 10 years at his sentencing hearing.
