Man That Ploughed Through LFC Parade Described as ‘Consumed by Rage’, Trial Told.
An ex- Royal Marine acted as a “man in a rage” as he mowed down dozens of Liverpool football club fans during a championship celebration, in what many feared was a act of terrorism, a court has heard.
“The video was deeply disturbing.”
Those injured of Paul Doyle cried as dashcam footage showed people being thrown into the air as he accelerated into crowds while screaming: “Fucking hell, move!”
Doyle, 54, will learn his fate on Tuesday following his guilty plea on the first day of his trial last month to 31 criminal charges against 21 adults and eight children.
‘Consumed by Anger’
Prosecutors stated the court that the footage from Doyle’s two-tonne Ford Galaxy proved to be “truly shocking”. The recording revealed the father of three yelling “expletives” as well as “fucking move” as he drove towards a large crowd of supporters, with people frantically dragging children to safety as he blasted the horn.
The court was told that Doyle acted as a “man in a rage had completely overpowered him” as he ploughed further into the crowd, speeding up while individuals were struck by his vehicle.
Extent of the Injuries
Overall, the former Royal Marine injured 134 individuals within a mere seven-minute span – including more than 50 requiring hospital care. A six-month-old boy was “remarkably” uninjured even though he was left on the roadway when Doyle’s car hit his pram, according to testimony.
A supporter, Simon Nash, was seen being launched into the air by the vehicle, suffering a laceration to the back of his head, rib fractures and multiple abrasions.
Doyle was heard screaming “for God’s sake move! Get out of my path!” before ploughing further into panicked fans, among them an older woman and young children who were dragged under the car.
Scene of Jubilation Turns to Horror
Addressing a packed courtroom, the prosecution said about 1 million people had attended “what they thought would be a joyous occasion” marking the football club’s championship win. Scenes of jubilation turned to “terror”, it was said, when the driver entered the crowd as he attempted to pick up a friend who had been at the parade.
“Some at the scene believed the events unfolding constituted a terrorist incident.”
Brave Intervention Stops Driver
As bodies lay on the ground, Doyle’s rampage was brought to a halt by a former soldier, Dan Barr, who climbed into a rear passenger seat and forced the gearstick into park. Despite this, Doyle kept his foot on the accelerator, according to evidence.
During questioning, the defendant claimed he acted in a “blind panic” because he feared for his life. Yet, prosecutors contended that the dashcam footage showed the defendant “just lost his temper in his determination to reach his destination”. It was further stated: “In a rage, he targeted the crowd and as he did so he intended to cause them serious harm.”
Dangerous Driving Prior to Incident
The video indicated the driver was driving recklessly before he reached the city centre, undertaking cars at speed and running red lights. He ignored traffic diversion measures and weaved around other cars, even emergency service vehicles, as he entered the crowds.
Doyle is expected to receive a jail term of more than 10 years at his sentencing hearing.
