Paul Doyle pleads guilty to Liverpool parade charges

Paul Doyle pleaded guilty to all 31 charges after plowing his car into a dense crowd of fans at the Liverpool FC victory parade.

The 54-year-old man admitted dangerous driving, fighting, 17 charges of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent, 9 counts of causing GBH with intent and 3 counts of wounding with intent.

The Crown Prosecution Service said it was a “calculated act of violence” when Doyle walked into a crowd on the evening of May 26, injuring more than 130 people.

The father-of-three, from Croxteth (Liverpool), sat with his head down and wept as he changed his plea on the second day of his trial at Liverpool Crown Court.

On the day of Doyle’s attack, thousands of Liverpool fans were in the city to watch the parade, which started at 14.30 GMT on 26 May.

The team bus had driven down The Strand, which runs at the end of Water Street, before the incident and the parade was about to end as fans headed home.

More than 130 people reported injuries after Doyle drove his Ford Galaxy Titanium into a crowd on Water Street just after 6 p.m.

He was arrested at the scene and charged later the same week.

The jury was sworn in for his trial on Tuesday, but the prosecution changed its plea earlier due to the opening of its case.

The charges relate to 29 people aged between six months and 77 years.

Doyle, a former Royal Marine, broke down in tears at a series of pre-trial hearings when he appeared via video link from prison.

He was supported by family members when he appeared in court earlier.

Liverpool Recorder Andrew Menary KC told Doyle it was “inevitable” he would face a “some lengthy” prison sentence.

A two-day sentencing hearing was scheduled for December 15 and 16 at the same court.

Crime Prosecution Service chief prosecutor Sarah Hammond said Doyle eventually accepted he deliberately walked into a crowd of innocent people.

“Footage from Doyle’s vehicle shows him becoming increasingly agitated by the crowd as he approached Dale Street and Water Street,” he said.

“Instead of waiting for them to pass, he deliberately moved towards them and forced his way through.

“Driving into a crowd is a calculated act of violence.

“This was not a momentary mistake by Paul Doyle; it was a choice he made on the day that turned the celebration into mayhem.”

In May, Merseyside Police said they believed Doyle followed an ambulance to Water Street after a road blockade was temporarily lifted to allow crews to attend to a man suffering from a heart attack.

Det Ch Insp John Fitzgerald said it was “sheer 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.

“What was supposed to be a day of celebration for the city turned into a harrowing and frightening experience that we know continues to have a physical and psychological impact on many people.”