Man That Drove Through Liverpool FC Parade Was ‘In a Rage’, Trial Hears.
An ex- Royal Marine was a “person consumed by fury” as he drove into scores of Liverpool football club supporters during a championship celebration, in what many feared was a terrorist attack, a court has heard.
“The footage is profoundly upsetting.”
Those injured of Paul Doyle wept while video from the car’s camera showed people being thrown into the air as he accelerated into crowds while screaming: “Fucking hell, move!”
Doyle, 54, 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’
The prosecution stated those in court that the footage from Doyle’s two-tonne Ford Galaxy was “extremely graphic”. It showed the parent shouting “expletives” as well as “fucking move” 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 was a “individual whose anger had completely overpowered him” as he ploughed further into the crowd, 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, Simon Nash, was seen being launched into the air by the car, suffering a laceration to the back of his head, rib fractures and multiple abrasions.
The defendant was heard screaming “fuck’s sake move! Get out my fucking way!” before ploughing further into panicked fans, among them an older woman and young children who became trapped beneath the vehicle.
Scene of Jubilation Turns to Horror
Speaking to a full court, lawyers said about 1 million people had attended “what they thought would be a day of joyfulness” marking the football club’s championship win. Scenes of jubilation 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 constituted a terrorist incident.”
Rampage Halted by Heroic Act
With injured people on the street, Doyle’s rampage was brought to a halt by a former soldier, a man identified in court, who climbed into a rear passenger seat and forced the gearstick into park. Even then, Doyle continued pressing the gas pedal, the court heard.
During questioning, Doyle stated he acted in a “state of sheer panic” due to a fear for his safety. However, prosecutors contended that the video demonstrated the defendant “just lost his temper in his determination to reach his destination”. It was further stated: “Consumed by anger, he drove into the crowd and as he did so he intended to cause them serious harm.”
Dangerous Driving Prior to Incident
The video showed the driver was driving recklessly before he reached the city centre, overtaking cars dangerously and jumping red lights. He ignored traffic diversion measures and bypassed other cars, even emergency service vehicles, as he entered the crowds.
Doyle is expected to receive a prison sentence of more than 10 years when he is sentenced on Tuesday.
