Driver That Drove Into LFC Victory Parade Was ‘Consumed by Rage’, Court Told.
An ex- Royal Marines Commando was a “person consumed by fury” as he mowed down scores of Liverpool football club supporters during a victory parade, an incident many initially feared to be a act of terrorism, according to court proceedings.
“The footage was truly shocking.”
Victims of Paul Doyle cried while dashcam footage depicted bodies spinning through the air as he accelerated into crowds while screaming: “Get out of the way!”
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’
Prosecutors stated those in court that the video evidence from the defendant’s large people carrier proved to be “truly shocking”. It showed the parent yelling “fucking pricks” and “fucking move” while he headed straight for a large crowd of supporters, some pulling children out of the way as he blasted the horn.
The court was told that Doyle was a “man in a rage whose anger had completely taken hold of him” as he ploughed further into the crowd, speeding up as people collided with his car.
Scale of the Carnage
Overall, the ex-marine injured 134 people in just seven minutes – including more than 50 who needed hospital treatment. A six-month-old boy was “remarkably” uninjured despite being left splayed on the road 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, suffering a laceration on his head, broken ribs and numerous scrapes.
Doyle was heard screaming “fuck’s sake move! Get out my fucking way!” prior to driving deeper into screaming supporters, including an elderly woman and children who became trapped beneath the vehicle.
Celebration Descends into Chaos
Speaking to a full court, lawyers said approximately a million individuals were present at “an event they believed to be a joyous occasion” marking the football club’s championship win. The celebratory atmosphere swiftly became “terror”, it was said, as Doyle drove into oncoming fans as he attempted to pick up a friend who had been at the parade.
“Witnesses thought that the events unfolding constituted a terrorist incident.”
Brave Intervention Stops Driver
With injured people on the street, the vehicle’s path was stopped by a former soldier, Dan Barr, who climbed into a rear passenger seat and held the car’s gear selector in “park”. Despite this, Doyle kept his foot on the accelerator, the court heard.
During questioning, the defendant stated he acted in a “blind panic” because he feared for his life. Yet, prosecutors contended that the video showed the defendant “simply lost control in his desire to get to where he wanted to get to”. It was further stated: “Consumed by anger, he drove into the crowd and in doing so his intent was to cause serious injury.”
Dangerous Driving Prior to Incident
Footage indicated the driver had been driving dangerously prior to entering downtown, undertaking cars at speed and jumping red lights. He disregarded traffic diversion measures and bypassed other cars, even emergency service vehicles, as he approached the packed streets.
Doyle is expected to receive a jail term of over a decade at his sentencing hearing.
