Man That Ploughed Into Liverpool FC Parade Was ‘Consumed by Rage’, Trial Hears.
A former Royal Marine acted as a “man in a rage” as he mowed down dozens of Liverpool football club fans at a victory parade, in what many feared was a act of terrorism, according to court proceedings.
“The video is truly shocking.”
Victims of Paul Doyle cried while video from the car’s camera depicted bodies spinning through the air while he sped towards the gathering while screaming: “Fucking hell, move!”
The 54-year-old defendant will learn his fate on Tuesday following his guilty plea on the first day of his trial last month to 31 criminal charges against 21 adults and eight children.
‘Consumed by Anger’
The prosecution stated the court that the footage from Doyle’s two-tonne Ford Galaxy was “truly shocking”. It showed the father of three yelling “expletives” and “move out of the way” while he headed straight for hundreds of fans, some pulling children out of the way as he blasted the horn.
The court was told that Doyle was a “individual whose anger whose anger had completely taken hold of him” as he ploughed further into the crowd, accelerating as people collided with his car.
Extent of the Injuries
In total, the ex-marine hurt 134 people in just seven minutes – including more than 50 requiring hospital care. An infant was “remarkably” unharmed 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 vehicle, suffering a cut 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 screaming supporters, among them an older woman and young children who became trapped beneath the vehicle.
Celebration Descends into Chaos
Addressing a packed courtroom, the prosecution said about 1 million people were present at “what they thought would be a day of joyfulness” to celebrate 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 from the parade route.
“Some at the scene believed the events unfolding constituted a terrorist incident.”
Brave Intervention Stops Driver
With injured people on the street, Doyle’s rampage was brought to a halt by an ex-army member, Dan Barr, 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” due to a fear for his safety. Yet, prosecutors contended that the dashcam footage demonstrated Doyle “just lost his temper in his desire to get to where he wanted to get to”. 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
Footage indicated the driver had been driving dangerously before he reached the city centre, undertaking cars at speed and running red lights. He disregarded road closures and bypassed other vehicles, even emergency service vehicles, as he entered the crowds.
The defendant is expected to receive a jail term of more than 10 years at his sentencing hearing.
