A driver involved in a shocking incident during Liverpool’s victory parade, which resulted in injuries to 134 supporters, has been sentenced to 21 years and six months in prison.
Paul Doyle, 54, was on his way to the city center to pick up friends on May 26 when he “lost his temper” and drove his Ford Galaxy straight into a crowd of fans celebrating the Premier League title win.
Dashcam footage shown in court revealed the harrowing moments as supporters were thrown onto the car’s hood or fell beneath it while Doyle accelerated down the traffic-free Water Street at around 6 p.m.
Doyle could be heard in the video cursing and shouting for the supporters to move. Initially, he denied 31 charges but changed his pleas on November 26, just before his trial was set to begin, admitting to all charges.
The former Royal Marine broke down in tears as he pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, affray, 17 counts of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent, nine counts of causing GBH with intent, and three counts of wounding with intent.
The indictment named 29 victims, including a 6-month-old baby, Teddy Eveson, whose pram was tossed in the air during the chaos, and a 77-year-old woman, Susan Passey.
During sentencing, Judge Andrew Menary KC described Doyle’s actions as driven by “inexplicable and undiluted fury,” emphasizing the profound disregard for human life.
He stated: “It is almost impossible to comprehend how any right-thinking person could act as you did.” He underscored the horror and devastation caused by Doyle’s recklessness, which disrupted a major public celebration and instilled fear among the attendees.
Judge Menary reflected, “Your actions transformed an occasion of collective enjoyment into one of fear and disruption, causing significant and lasting harm to the life and reputation of the city.”
Doyle had driven from his residence in Croxteth, Liverpool, to meet friends who had attended the parade. Witnesses reported him undertaking other vehicles and running a red light on his way into the city.
His dashcam recorded him signaling disdainful remarks as frightened parents hurried to pull their children away from the car’s path. When reaching a line of vehicles turning away from the closed Water Street, he swerved into the crowd despite the warnings.
Initially, people were seen on the hood of his car and falling beneath it while Doyle tried to accelerate through the throngs of fans. The vehicle only halted when a fan, Dan Barr, climbed into the back seat and engaged the gear stick in park mode, preventing any further movement.
During the investigation, Doyle claimed he had seen someone with a knife and acted in panic, fearing for his safety. However, police found no evidence of a knife through CCTV or testimonies from witnesses; Doyle was also neither intoxicated nor under the influence of drugs.
James Allison from the Crown Prosecution Service stated definitively that Doyle’s actions stemmed from a loss of temper and uncontrolled rage that dramatically affected the lives of many.
Detective Chief Inspector John Fitzgerald emphasized Doyle’s utter disregard for the safety of others, especially the many children present, stating it was sheer luck there were no fatalities.