Man Who Drove Into Liverpool FC Parade Was ‘In a Rage’, Trial Hears.
A former Royal Marines Commando was a “man in a rage” as he mowed down dozens of LFC supporters during a championship celebration, an incident many initially feared to be a terrorist attack, a court has heard.
“The video was profoundly upsetting.”
Victims of Paul Doyle cried while dashcam footage showed bodies spinning through the air while he sped towards the gathering while screaming: “Fucking hell, move!”
Doyle, 54, is due to be sentenced on Tuesday following his guilty plea on the first day 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 the defendant’s large people carrier proved to be “truly shocking”. It showed the father of three yelling “expletives” and “move out of the way” 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 continued driving into the mass of people, speeding up while individuals were struck by his vehicle.
Scale of the Carnage
In total, the ex-marine hurt 134 people within a mere seven-minute span – with over fifty requiring hospital care. An infant was “remarkably” uninjured despite being left splayed on the road 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 car, suffering a cut to the back of his head, broken ribs and multiple abrasions.
Doyle could be heard shouting “for God’s sake move! Get out of my path!” before ploughing further into screaming supporters, including an elderly woman and children who became trapped beneath the vehicle.
Scene of Jubilation Turns to Horror
Addressing a packed courtroom, the prosecution said approximately a million individuals were present at “an event they believed to be a day of joyfulness” marking the football club’s championship win. Scenes of jubilation turned to “horror”, it was said, when the driver entered the crowd while trying to collect a companion who had been at the parade.
“Witnesses 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 a former soldier, a man identified in court, who climbed into a rear passenger seat and held the car’s gear selector in “park”. Despite this, Doyle continued pressing the gas pedal, according to evidence.
In his police interview, Doyle claimed he reacted in a “state of sheer panic” because he feared for his life. However, the prosecution argued that the video demonstrated Doyle “simply lost control 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 his intent was to cause serious injury.”
Reckless Behavior Before the Attack
Footage showed Doyle had been driving dangerously prior to entering downtown, overtaking cars dangerously and jumping 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 jail term of over a decade when he is sentenced on Tuesday.
