A former Royal Marine was a “man in a rage” as he drove into scores of Liverpool football club supporters at a championship celebration, an incident many initially feared to be a act of terrorism, according to court proceedings.
“The footage was truly shocking.”
Victims of Paul Doyle cried as 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 is due to be sentenced on Tuesday after pleading guilty at the start of his trial last month to 31 offences against 21 adults and eight children.
The prosecution stated those in court that the footage from Doyle’s large people carrier proved to be “truly shocking”. The recording revealed the father of three yelling “fucking pricks” and “fucking move” while he headed straight for a large crowd of supporters, with people frantically dragging children to safety as he blasted the horn.
It was stated in court that Doyle acted as a “man in a rage had completely overpowered him” as he ploughed further into the crowd, speeding up as people collided with his car.
Overall, the former Royal Marine hurt 134 people within a mere seven-minute span – including more than 50 requiring hospital care. An infant was “remarkably” uninjured despite being left splayed on the road after the vehicle struck his stroller, the court heard.
A supporter, Simon Nash, was seen being launched into the air by the car, suffering a laceration on his head, broken ribs and multiple abrasions.
The defendant could be heard shouting “fuck’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.
Addressing a packed courtroom, lawyers said about 1 million people were present at “an event they believed to be a joyous occasion” to celebrate Liverpool winning their 20th league title. Scenes of jubilation turned to “horror”, the prosecutor said, as Doyle drove into oncoming fans while trying to collect a companion who had been at the parade.
“Witnesses believed what was taking place constituted a terrorist incident.”
As bodies lay on the ground, the vehicle’s path was brought to a halt by a former soldier, a man identified in court, who climbed into a rear passenger seat and forced the gearstick into park. Even then, Doyle kept his foot on the accelerator, according to evidence.
In his police interview, the defendant claimed he reacted in a “state of sheer panic” because he feared for his life. Yet, prosecutors contended that the dashcam footage demonstrated Doyle “just lost his temper in his desire to get to where he wanted to get to”. It was further stated: “Consumed by anger, he drove into the crowd and as he did so he intended to cause them serious harm.”
The video indicated Doyle had been driving dangerously before he reached the city centre, undertaking cars at speed and jumping red lights. He ignored traffic diversion measures and weaved around other cars, even emergency service vehicles, as he entered the crowds.
The defendant is expected to receive a prison sentence of over a decade when he is sentenced on Tuesday.
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