Man Who Ploughed Into LFC Parade Described as ‘Consumed by Rage’, Court Hears.
An ex- Royal Marine was a “person consumed by fury” when he mowed down scores of Liverpool football club supporters at a victory parade, an incident many initially feared to be a act of terrorism, a court has heard.
“The footage is truly shocking.”
Victims of Paul Doyle cried as video from the car’s camera showed bodies spinning through the air while he sped towards the gathering while screaming: “Get out of the way!”
Doyle, 54, is due to be sentenced 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 those in court that the footage from the defendant’s two-tonne Ford Galaxy proved to be “extremely graphic”. The recording revealed the parent shouting “fucking pricks” as well as “move out of the way” 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 “individual whose anger whose anger had completely taken hold of him” as he ploughed further into the crowd, accelerating while individuals were struck by his vehicle.
Extent of the Injuries
In total, the former Royal Marine hurt 134 people within a mere seven-minute span – including more than 50 who needed hospital treatment. A six-month-old boy was “miraculously” unharmed despite being left splayed on the road when Doyle’s car hit his pram, the court heard.
A supporter, Simon Nash, was shown being thrown into the air by the car, suffering a cut to the back of his head, rib fractures and multiple abrasions.
The defendant was heard screaming “for God’s sake move! Get out my fucking way!” before ploughing further into panicked fans, including an elderly woman and children who were dragged under the car.
Scene of Jubilation Turns to Horror
Speaking to a full court, lawyers said about 1 million people had attended “an event they believed to be a day of joyfulness” marking the football club’s championship win. The celebratory atmosphere turned to “horror”, it was said, when the driver entered the crowd as he attempted to pick up a friend who had been at the parade.
“Some at the scene thought that what was taking place was a terrorist attack.”
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 held the car’s gear selector in “park”. Even then, Doyle kept his foot on the accelerator, according to evidence.
In his police interview, Doyle claimed he acted in a “state of sheer panic” due to a fear for his safety. However, prosecutors contended that the dashcam footage showed the defendant “just lost his temper in his determination to reach his destination”. The prosecutor added: “Consumed by anger, he drove into the crowd and as he did so he intended to cause them serious harm.”
Reckless Behavior Before the Attack
Footage indicated Doyle had been driving dangerously before he reached the city centre, overtaking cars dangerously and jumping red lights. He ignored road closures and bypassed other cars, including an ambulance and police cars, as he entered the crowds.
The defendant is expected to receive a jail term of over a decade when he is sentenced on Tuesday.
