Man That Ploughed Into Liverpool FC Parade Was ‘Consumed by Rage’, Trial Hears.
An ex- Royal Marine acted as a “person consumed by fury” when he drove into dozens of Liverpool football club supporters at a victory parade, in what many feared was a terrorist attack, a court has heard.
“The footage is profoundly upsetting.”
Those injured in the incident wept as dashcam footage depicted 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 offences involving 29 victims, including eight minors.
‘Consumed by Anger’
Prosecutors warned the court that the footage from Doyle’s large people carrier was “extremely graphic”. The recording revealed the father of three shouting “expletives” and “move out of the way” 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 “individual whose anger had completely overpowered him” as he ploughed further into the crowd, speeding up as people collided with his car.
Scale of the Carnage
Overall, the ex-marine injured 134 individuals in just seven minutes – with over fifty requiring hospital care. An infant was “remarkably” uninjured despite being left splayed on the road after the vehicle struck his stroller, according to testimony.
One fan, a man named in court, was seen being launched into the air by the vehicle, sustaining a laceration on his head, broken ribs and numerous scrapes.
The defendant was heard screaming “fuck’s sake move! Get out of my path!” prior to driving deeper into screaming supporters, including an elderly woman and children who became trapped beneath the vehicle.
Scene of Jubilation Turns to Horror
Addressing a packed courtroom, lawyers said about 1 million people had attended “an event they believed to be a joyous occasion” to celebrate Liverpool winning their 20th league title. The celebratory atmosphere swiftly became “terror”, the prosecutor said, when the driver entered the crowd while trying to collect a companion from the parade route.
“Some at the scene believed the events unfolding was a terrorist attack.”
Brave Intervention Stops Driver
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. Despite this, Doyle continued pressing the gas pedal, according to evidence.
During questioning, the defendant claimed he reacted in a “blind panic” because he feared for his life. However, prosecutors contended that the dashcam footage demonstrated the defendant “simply lost control in his determination to reach his destination”. It was further stated: “In a rage, he drove into the crowd and as he did so his intent was to cause serious injury.”
Dangerous Driving Prior to Incident
The video indicated the driver was driving recklessly before he reached the city centre, overtaking cars dangerously and running red lights. He ignored road closures and weaved around other vehicles, 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.
