Driver That Drove Through Liverpool FC Victory Parade Was ‘In a Rage’, Court Told.
A former Royal Marine acted as a “man in a rage” as he drove into dozens of Liverpool football club fans at a victory parade, an incident many initially feared to be a terrorist attack, a court has heard.
“The video is profoundly upsetting.”
Those injured of Paul Doyle wept as video from the car’s camera showed bodies spinning through the air while he sped towards the gathering while screaming: “Get out of the way!”
Doyle, 54, will learn his fate on Tuesday following his guilty plea at the start of his trial last month to 31 criminal charges against 29 victims, including eight minors.
‘A Man in a Rage’
The prosecution warned the court that the video evidence from Doyle’s two-tonne Ford Galaxy was “truly shocking”. The recording revealed the parent shouting “fucking pricks” and “move out of the way” while he headed straight for hundreds of fans, some pulling children out of the way as he blasted the horn.
It was stated in court that Doyle was a “man in a rage whose anger had completely taken hold of him” as he continued driving into the mass of people, accelerating as people collided with his car.
Extent of the Injuries
In total, the former Royal Marine injured 134 people in just seven minutes – including more than 50 requiring hospital care. A six-month-old boy was “remarkably” uninjured even though he was left on the roadway when Doyle’s car hit his pram, according to testimony.
A supporter, a man named in court, was seen being launched into the air by the car, sustaining a laceration to the back of his head, rib fractures and numerous scrapes.
The defendant could be heard shouting “fuck’s sake move! Get out of my path!” before ploughing further into screaming supporters, including an elderly woman and 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 had attended “an event they believed to be a joyous occasion” to celebrate the football club’s championship win. The celebratory atmosphere swiftly became “horror”, the prosecutor said, when the driver entered the crowd while trying to collect a companion who had been at the parade.
“Some at the scene believed what was taking place 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, a man identified in court, who entered the back of the car and forced the gearstick into park. Even then, Doyle kept his foot on the accelerator, the court heard.
In his police interview, Doyle claimed he acted in a “blind panic” due to a fear for his safety. Yet, the prosecution argued that the dashcam footage showed the defendant “just lost his temper in his determination to reach his destination”. It was further stated: “In a rage, he targeted the crowd and in doing so his intent was to cause serious injury.”
Reckless Behavior Before the Attack
Footage showed Doyle was driving recklessly prior to entering downtown, overtaking cars dangerously and jumping red lights. He ignored traffic diversion measures and weaved around other vehicles, including an ambulance and police cars, as he entered the crowds.
The defendant is understood to be facing a jail term of over a decade at his sentencing hearing.