Driver Who Ploughed Into LFC Parade Was ‘In a Rage’, Trial Told.
A former Royal Marines Commando acted as a “person consumed by fury” as he mowed down scores of Liverpool football club fans at a championship celebration, in what many feared was a terrorist attack, according to court proceedings.
“The video is truly shocking.”
Those injured in the incident wept as video from the car’s camera depicted people being thrown into the air while he sped towards the gathering while screaming: “Fucking hell, move!”
The 54-year-old defendant will learn his fate on Tuesday following his guilty plea at the start of his trial last month to 31 criminal charges involving 21 adults and eight children.
‘Consumed by Anger’
Prosecutors stated those in court that the video evidence from Doyle’s large people carrier was “extremely graphic”. The recording revealed the father of three shouting “fucking pricks” as well as “fucking move” as he drove towards a large crowd of supporters, with people frantically dragging children to safety as his car horn blared.
It was stated in court that Doyle was a “individual whose anger had completely overpowered him” as he ploughed further into the crowd, speeding up while individuals were struck by his vehicle.
Scale of the Carnage
Overall, the former Royal Marine injured 134 people within a mere seven-minute span – including more than 50 who needed hospital treatment. A six-month-old boy was “miraculously” uninjured despite being left splayed on the road when Doyle’s car hit his pram, the court heard.
A supporter, Simon Nash, was seen being launched into the air by the vehicle, suffering a cut to the back of his head, rib fractures and multiple abrasions.
The defendant could be heard shouting “for God’s sake move! Get out my fucking way!” prior to driving deeper into screaming supporters, including an elderly woman and children who became trapped beneath the vehicle.
Celebration Descends into Chaos
Addressing a packed courtroom, the prosecution said about 1 million people had attended “what they thought would be a day of joyfulness” marking Liverpool winning their 20th league title. The celebratory atmosphere swiftly became “horror”, the prosecutor said, as Doyle drove into oncoming fans as he attempted to pick up a friend from the parade route.
“Some at the scene believed what was taking place constituted a terrorist incident.”
Brave Intervention Stops Driver
With injured people on the street, the vehicle’s path was stopped by a former soldier, a man identified in court, who entered the back of the car and held the car’s gear selector in “park”. Despite this, Doyle kept his foot on the accelerator, the court heard.
In his police interview, the defendant stated he reacted in a “state of sheer panic” because he feared for his life. However, the prosecution argued that the dashcam footage demonstrated Doyle “simply lost control in his determination to reach his destination”. It was further stated: “Consumed by anger, he drove into the crowd and in doing so he intended to cause them serious harm.”
Dangerous Driving Prior to Incident
The video indicated the driver was driving recklessly prior to entering downtown, undertaking cars at speed and running red lights. He disregarded 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 more than 10 years at his sentencing hearing.