Driver Who Drove Into LFC Parade Was ‘Consumed by Rage’, Trial Told.
A former Royal Marine acted as a “person consumed by fury” as he mowed down scores of Liverpool football club supporters at a victory parade, an incident many initially feared to be a terrorist attack, according to court proceedings.
“The video was deeply disturbing.”
Those injured of Paul Doyle cried while video from the car’s camera depicted bodies spinning through the air while he sped towards the gathering while screaming: “Fucking hell, move!”
The 54-year-old defendant will learn his fate on Tuesday after pleading guilty on the first day of his trial last month to 31 offences against 29 victims, including eight minors.
‘A Man in a Rage’
Prosecutors stated those in court that the video evidence from the defendant’s two-tonne Ford Galaxy was “truly shocking”. It showed the father of three yelling “fucking pricks” 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 was a “man in a rage whose anger had completely taken hold of him” as he continued driving into the mass of people, speeding up while individuals were struck by his vehicle.
Extent of the Injuries
Overall, the ex-marine injured 134 people within a mere seven-minute span – including more than 50 requiring hospital care. An infant was “miraculously” uninjured even though he was left on the roadway after the vehicle struck his stroller, according to testimony.
A supporter, a man named in court, was seen being launched into the air by the car, sustaining a laceration to the back of his head, broken ribs and multiple abrasions.
Doyle could be heard shouting “fuck’s sake move! Get out of my path!” before ploughing further into panicked fans, among them an older woman and young children who became trapped beneath the vehicle.
Scene of Jubilation Turns to Horror
Speaking to a full court, the prosecution said approximately a million individuals had attended “an event they believed to be a day of joyfulness” marking Liverpool winning their 20th league title. Scenes of jubilation swiftly became “horror”, the prosecutor said, when the driver entered the crowd while trying to collect a companion who had been at the parade.
“Witnesses believed what was taking place was a terrorist attack.”
Rampage Halted by Heroic Act
With injured people on the street, the vehicle’s path was stopped by an ex-army member, a man identified in court, who entered the back of the car and forced the gearstick into park. Even then, Doyle kept his foot on the accelerator, the court heard.
In his police interview, Doyle stated he reacted in a “blind panic” because he feared for his life. Yet, prosecutors contended that the video demonstrated the defendant “simply lost control in his desire to get to where he wanted to get to”. The prosecutor added: “Consumed by anger, he targeted the crowd and in doing so his intent was to cause serious injury.”
Reckless Behavior Before the Attack
The video indicated the driver had been driving dangerously prior to entering downtown, overtaking cars dangerously and jumping red lights. He disregarded road closures and weaved around other cars, including an ambulance and police cars, as he entered the crowds.
The defendant is understood to be facing a prison sentence of over a decade at his sentencing hearing.
