Driver Who Drove Through Liverpool FC Parade Was ‘In a Rage’, Trial Told.
A former Royal Marine acted as a “man in a rage” as he mowed down scores of LFC fans during a victory parade, in what many feared was a terrorist attack, a court has heard.
“The video was deeply disturbing.”
Those injured of Paul Doyle cried as video from the car’s camera depicted people being thrown into the air while he sped towards the gathering while screaming: “Fucking hell, move!”
The 54-year-old defendant is due to be sentenced on Tuesday following his guilty plea at the start of his trial last month to 31 criminal charges against 21 adults and eight children.
‘A Man in a Rage’
The prosecution stated the court that the footage from Doyle’s large people carrier was “truly shocking”. It showed the father of three shouting “expletives” as well as “fucking move” as he drove towards a large crowd of supporters, with people frantically dragging children to safety as his car horn blared.
It was stated in court that Doyle acted as a “man in a rage whose anger had completely taken hold of him” as he ploughed further into the crowd, accelerating while individuals were struck by his vehicle.
Scale of the Carnage
In total, the ex-marine injured 134 people in just seven minutes – with over fifty requiring hospital care. An infant was “miraculously” uninjured even though he was left on the roadway when Doyle’s car hit his pram, according to testimony.
One fan, Simon Nash, was shown being thrown into the air by the vehicle, sustaining a laceration on his head, broken ribs and multiple abrasions.
Doyle could be heard shouting “for God’s sake move! Get out of my path!” prior to driving deeper into screaming supporters, among them an older woman and young children who were dragged under the car.
Scene of Jubilation Turns to Horror
Addressing a packed courtroom, the prosecution said approximately a million individuals had attended “what they thought would be a day of joyfulness” to celebrate Liverpool winning their 20th league title. The celebratory atmosphere turned to “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 what was taking place constituted a terrorist incident.”
Rampage Halted by Heroic Act
As bodies lay on the ground, Doyle’s rampage was stopped by an ex-army member, Dan Barr, who climbed into a rear passenger seat and forced the gearstick into park. Even then, Doyle continued pressing the gas pedal, according to evidence.
During questioning, the defendant claimed he acted in a “state of sheer panic” due to a fear for his safety. Yet, the prosecution argued that the dashcam footage demonstrated the defendant “just lost his temper in his desire to get to where he wanted to get to”. The prosecutor added: “In a rage, he drove into the crowd and in doing so he intended to cause them serious harm.”
Reckless Behavior Before the Attack
The video indicated the driver was driving recklessly before he reached the city centre, overtaking cars dangerously and running red lights. He disregarded traffic diversion measures and weaved around other cars, even emergency service vehicles, as he approached the packed streets.
Doyle is expected to receive a prison sentence of over a decade when he is sentenced on Tuesday.
