Man Who Ploughed Into Liverpool FC Victory Parade Described as ‘In a Rage’, Trial Hears.
A former Royal Marine acted as a “person consumed by fury” as he drove into scores of Liverpool football club fans during a victory parade, in what many feared was a act of terrorism, according to court proceedings.
“The footage was truly shocking.”
Victims in the incident cried as video from the car’s camera depicted people being thrown into the air while he sped towards the gathering and shouted: “Get out of the way!”
Doyle, 54, is due to be sentenced on Tuesday after pleading guilty on the first day of his trial last month to 31 offences involving 21 adults and eight children.
‘A Man in a Rage’
Prosecutors stated the court that the footage from the defendant’s two-tonne Ford Galaxy proved to be “truly shocking”. It showed the father of three shouting “expletives” and “move out of the way” as he drove towards a large crowd of supporters, some pulling children out of the way as his car horn blared.
It was stated in court that Doyle acted as 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.
Scale of the Carnage
In total, the former Royal Marine hurt 134 people within a mere seven-minute span – including more than 50 requiring hospital care. A six-month-old boy was “miraculously” uninjured despite being left splayed on the road after the vehicle struck his stroller, according to testimony.
One fan, Simon Nash, was seen being launched into the air by the vehicle, suffering a laceration on his head, broken ribs and numerous scrapes.
The defendant was heard screaming “for God’s sake move! Get out my fucking way!” before ploughing further into screaming supporters, including an elderly woman and children who were dragged under the car.
Celebration Descends into Chaos
Speaking to a full court, lawyers said about 1 million people were present at “what they thought would be a day of joyfulness” marking the football club’s championship win. Scenes of jubilation turned to “horror”, the prosecutor said, when the driver entered the crowd as he attempted to pick up a friend who had been at the parade.
“Witnesses thought that the events unfolding was a terrorist attack.”
Rampage Halted by Heroic Act
As bodies lay on the ground, Doyle’s rampage was brought to a halt by an ex-army member, Dan Barr, who entered the back of the car and forced the gearstick into park. Even then, Doyle kept his foot on the accelerator, according to evidence.
In his police interview, Doyle claimed he acted in a “state of sheer panic” because he feared for his life. Yet, prosecutors contended that the dashcam footage demonstrated the defendant “just lost his temper in his determination to reach his destination”. The prosecutor added: “Consumed by anger, he drove into the crowd and in doing so he intended to cause them serious harm.”
Reckless Behavior Before the Attack
The video indicated Doyle was driving recklessly prior to entering downtown, undertaking cars at speed and jumping red lights. He ignored traffic diversion measures and weaved around other vehicles, including an ambulance and police cars, as he approached the packed streets.
Doyle is expected to receive a prison sentence of over a decade when he is sentenced on Tuesday.
