Driver Who Drove Into LFC Parade Described as ‘Consumed by Rage’, Trial Hears.
An ex- Royal Marines Commando was a “man in a rage” when he drove into scores of LFC supporters at a championship celebration, in what many feared was a terrorist attack, a court has heard.
“The footage was profoundly upsetting.”
Victims of Paul Doyle cried while video from the car’s camera showed people being thrown into the air while he sped towards the gathering while screaming: “Fucking hell, move!”
Doyle, 54, will learn his fate on Tuesday after pleading guilty on the first day of his trial last month to 31 offences involving 29 victims, including eight minors.
‘Consumed by Anger’
The prosecution warned the court that the footage from the defendant’s two-tonne Ford Galaxy was “extremely graphic”. The recording revealed the father of three shouting “expletives” as well as “move out of the way” 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 “man in a rage 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
Overall, the former Royal Marine injured 134 people within a mere seven-minute span – with over fifty requiring hospital care. An infant was “remarkably” unharmed even though he was left on the roadway 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, sustaining a laceration on his head, rib fractures and numerous scrapes.
Doyle could be heard shouting “fuck’s sake move! Get out my fucking way!” before ploughing further into screaming supporters, including an elderly woman and children who became trapped beneath the vehicle.
Celebration Descends into Chaos
Addressing a packed courtroom, lawyers said approximately a million individuals had attended “an event they believed to be a joyous occasion” to celebrate Liverpool winning their 20th league title. The celebratory atmosphere turned to “horror”, it was said, as Doyle drove into oncoming fans as he attempted to pick up a friend from the parade route.
“Witnesses believed what was taking place constituted a terrorist incident.”
Rampage Halted by Heroic Act
As bodies lay on the ground, the vehicle’s path 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, the court heard.
In his police interview, the defendant stated he reacted in a “state of sheer panic” because he feared for his life. However, prosecutors contended that the dashcam footage showed Doyle “simply lost control in his determination to reach his destination”. The prosecutor added: “In a rage, he targeted the crowd and as he did 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 jumping red lights. He disregarded road closures and weaved around other vehicles, including an ambulance and police cars, as he approached the packed streets.
The defendant is understood to be facing a prison sentence of over a decade at his sentencing hearing.
