Man Who Ploughed Through LFC Parade Described as ‘Consumed by Rage’, Court Told.
A former Royal Marine acted as a “man in a rage” when he mowed down dozens of Liverpool football club supporters during a victory parade, an incident many initially feared to be a act of terrorism, according to court proceedings.
“The footage was deeply disturbing.”
Victims of Paul Doyle cried while video from the car’s camera showed bodies spinning through the air while he sped towards the gathering and shouted: “Fucking hell, move!”
Doyle, 54, is due to be sentenced on Tuesday following his guilty plea on the first day of his trial last month to 31 criminal charges involving 29 victims, including eight minors.
‘A Man in a Rage’
Prosecutors stated the court that the video evidence from Doyle’s large people carrier was “extremely graphic”. The recording revealed the parent yelling “expletives” as well as “fucking move” 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 acted as a “man in a rage had completely overpowered him” as he continued driving into the mass of people, 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 who needed hospital treatment. An infant was “remarkably” uninjured even though he was left on the roadway when Doyle’s car hit his pram, according to testimony.
A supporter, a man named in court, was seen being launched into the air by the car, suffering a laceration to the back of his head, broken ribs and numerous scrapes.
Doyle was heard screaming “fuck’s sake move! Get out of my path!” prior to driving deeper into screaming supporters, among them an older woman and young children who were dragged under the car.
Celebration Descends into Chaos
Speaking to a full court, lawyers said approximately a million individuals were present at “an event they believed to be a day of joyfulness” to celebrate the football club’s championship win. Scenes of jubilation turned to “terror”, the prosecutor 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.”
Brave Intervention Stops Driver
As bodies lay on the ground, the vehicle’s path was brought to a halt by an ex-army member, Dan Barr, who climbed into a rear passenger seat and held the car’s gear selector in “park”. Despite this, Doyle kept his foot on the accelerator, the court heard.
In his police interview, Doyle stated he reacted in a “blind panic” due to a fear for his safety. However, prosecutors contended that the video demonstrated Doyle “just lost his temper in his determination to reach his destination”. The prosecutor added: “In a rage, he drove into the crowd and in doing so his intent was to cause serious injury.”
Reckless Behavior Before the Attack
The video showed Doyle had been driving dangerously prior to entering downtown, undertaking cars at speed and running red lights. He ignored road closures and bypassed other cars, including an ambulance and police cars, as he approached the packed streets.
Doyle is expected to receive a prison sentence of more than 10 years when he is sentenced on Tuesday.
