Driver Who Ploughed Through LFC Parade Described as ‘Consumed by Rage’, Trial Hears.
An ex- Royal Marine acted as a “man in a rage” as he drove into dozens of Liverpool football club supporters at a championship celebration, an incident many initially feared to be a act of terrorism, a court has heard.
“The video was truly shocking.”
Those injured of Paul Doyle cried while video from the car’s camera depicted bodies spinning through the air as he accelerated into crowds and shouted: “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 against 29 victims, including eight minors.
‘Consumed by Anger’
Prosecutors warned those in court that the video evidence from Doyle’s large people carrier proved to be “truly shocking”. The recording revealed the parent yelling “expletives” and “move out of the way” while he headed straight for a large crowd of supporters, with people frantically dragging children to safety as he blasted the horn.
The court was told that Doyle was a “man in a rage had completely overpowered him” as he ploughed further into the crowd, accelerating as people collided with his car.
Scale of the Carnage
Overall, the ex-marine hurt 134 people within a mere seven-minute span – including more than 50 who needed hospital treatment. An infant was “remarkably” uninjured even though he was left on the roadway when Doyle’s car hit his pram, the court heard.
One fan, a man named in court, was shown being thrown into the air by the vehicle, sustaining a cut on his head, broken ribs and multiple abrasions.
Doyle could be heard shouting “for God’s sake move! Get out my fucking way!” prior to driving deeper 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, lawyers said approximately a million individuals were present at “what they thought would be a joyous occasion” marking Liverpool winning their 20th league title. The celebratory atmosphere swiftly became “horror”, the prosecutor said, as Doyle drove into oncoming fans as he attempted to pick up a friend from the parade route.
“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 a former soldier, a man identified in court, who entered the back of the car and forced the gearstick into park. Even then, Doyle continued pressing the gas pedal, according to evidence.
In his police interview, the defendant stated he acted in a “blind panic” because he feared for his life. Yet, prosecutors contended that the dashcam footage demonstrated the defendant “simply lost control in his determination to reach his destination”. It was further stated: “Consumed by anger, he targeted the crowd and in doing so he intended to cause them serious harm.”
Dangerous Driving Prior to Incident
The video showed Doyle had been driving dangerously before he reached the city centre, undertaking cars at speed and jumping red lights. He ignored road closures and weaved around other cars, including an ambulance and police cars, as he entered the crowds.
The defendant is expected to receive a jail term of over a decade at his sentencing hearing.
