Driver That Drove Through Liverpool FC Victory Parade Was ‘Consumed by Rage’, Court Hears.
An ex- Royal Marines Commando was a “man in a rage” when he drove into scores of Liverpool football club fans at a championship celebration, in what many feared was a terrorist attack, according to court proceedings.
“The footage was truly shocking.”
Those injured in the incident cried while dashcam footage showed people being thrown into the air as he accelerated into crowds and shouted: “Fucking hell, move!”
Doyle, 54, is due to be sentenced on Tuesday after pleading guilty at the start of his trial last month to 31 criminal charges involving 29 victims, including eight minors.
‘A Man in a Rage’
Prosecutors stated the court that the footage from the defendant’s two-tonne Ford Galaxy was “extremely graphic”. It showed the father of three yelling “fucking pricks” as well as “fucking move” as he drove towards a large crowd of supporters, some pulling children out of the way as he blasted the horn.
It was stated in court that Doyle was a “individual whose anger had completely overpowered him” as he continued driving into the mass of people, accelerating as people collided with his car.
Extent of the Injuries
Overall, the former Royal Marine hurt 134 individuals in just seven minutes – with over fifty 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, a man named in court, was seen being launched into the air by the car, sustaining a cut 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!” prior to driving deeper 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 “an event they believed to be a joyous occasion” to celebrate the football club’s championship win. The celebratory atmosphere swiftly became “terror”, the prosecutor 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 thought that the events unfolding was a terrorist attack.”
Brave Intervention Stops Driver
With injured people on the street, the vehicle’s path was brought to a halt by a former soldier, Dan Barr, who climbed into a rear passenger seat and held the car’s gear selector in “park”. Despite this, Doyle continued pressing the gas pedal, according to evidence.
During questioning, Doyle stated he acted in a “blind panic” due to a fear for his safety. Yet, the prosecution argued that the video demonstrated the defendant “just lost his temper in his desire to get to where he wanted to get to”. It was further stated: “In a rage, he targeted the crowd and in doing so he intended to cause them serious harm.”
Reckless Behavior Before the Attack
The video indicated the driver was driving recklessly prior to entering downtown, undertaking cars at speed and jumping red lights. He ignored road closures and bypassed 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.