Liverpool parade crash dash cam footage reveals rampage was act of ‘calculated violence’
A former Royal Marine is facing prison after admitting driving his car into football fans at Liverpool’s Premier League victory parade in an act of “calculated violence”, injuring 134 people.
Paul Doyle, 54, initially denied using his car as a weapon as he was charged with 31 charges relating to 29 victims, including a six-month-old baby and a 77-year-old pensioner.
In the terrifying incident on May 26, when 750,000 fans gathered to celebrate Liverpool FC winning the Premier League title, some pedestrians, including children, were trapped under a two-tonne Ford Galaxy Titanium.
Police said it was “lucky” no one was killed in the city center attack. Prosecutors said the devastating scenes “striked at the heart of a city united in joy and left fear in its wake.” “This was not a momentary mistake by Paul Doyle; it was a choice he made on the day that turned the celebration into mayhem,” they added.
A jury was sworn in for Doyle’s trial at Liverpool Crown Court on Tuesday. However, the driver significantly changed his defense on Wednesday, when the prosecution opened its case.
Doyle, who appeared to be wearing a dark suit and tie, bowed his head and clasped his hands as he pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, affray, 17 charges of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent, nine charges of causing GBH with intent and three counts of wounding with intent.
Doyle, a married father of three, was allowed to sit in the dock as he sobbed in a broken voice as he answered “guilty” to every charge against him.
Detaining him in custody, Judge Andrew Menary, the Registrar of Liverpool, said: “A period of imprisonment is inevitable and you must prepare yourself for that outcome.”
Doyle was expected to claim that he had acted in panic when he crashed into the crowd. But prosecutors allege footage shows him losing his temper and deliberately driving into fans while trying to pick up a friend from the parade, turning the celebration into “mayhem”.
Crown prosecutor Sarah Hammond said: “Doyle pleaded guilty and eventually accepted that he deliberately walked into crowds of innocent people during Liverpool FC’s victory parade.”
“Footage from Doyle’s vehicle shows him becoming increasingly agitated by crowds as he approached Dale Street and Water Street. “Rather than waiting for them to pass, he deliberately moved towards them and attempted to drive through them.
“Driving into a crowd is a calculated act of violence. This was not a spur of the moment mistake by Paul Doyle; it was a choice he made on the day that turned the celebration into mayhem.”
He praised the “courage of the emergency services who acted quickly at the scene”.
He added: “There is no doubt that what they did saved lives.
“Liverpool as a city has shown resilience and unity in the face of this terrible act and I hope the victims, their families and everyone affected will feel justice has been served.”
Many of Doyle’s victims are still recovering from their wounds after more than 100 people were injured in his seven-minute rampage against the stream of fans leaving the parade.
Police have previously said they believe crews followed an ambulance to Water Street after a barricade was temporarily removed to attend to a person in cardiac arrest.
Doyle was dragged from his vehicle by the angry mob before he was arrested around 6pm.
His youngest victim was Teddy Eveson; Her family later revealed that during the accident she was thrown approximately 15 ft from her stroller.
Following Doyle’s guilty plea, Merseyside Police Detective Chief Inspector John Fitzgerald said: “It is difficult to forget the shocking scenes that day.
“What was supposed to be a celebratory day for the city turned into a harrowing and frightening experience and we know it continues to have a physical and psychological impact on many people.
“Thousands of people gathered in the city to watch Liverpool FC’s parade and it was pure luck that no one was killed due to Doyle’s reckless actions.
“In just seven minutes his dangerous driving meant his car collided with more than 100 people, including children, in some cases trapping people under the vehicle and causing serious injuries.”
He continued: “We know that many people are still recovering from the injuries they sustained that day and our thoughts are with them and those who continue to be affected.
“We hope that the knowledge that Doyle now faces a significant prison sentence can help those affected to move on with their lives.”
Doyle is expected to be sentenced on December 15 and 16.
