Driver That Ploughed Through Liverpool FC Victory Parade Was ‘Consumed by Rage’, Trial Told.
A former Royal Marines Commando was a “man in a rage” when he drove into dozens of LFC fans during a championship celebration, in what many feared was a act of terrorism, a court has heard.
“The video was truly shocking.”
Those injured in the incident cried as video from the car’s camera showed people being thrown into the air as he accelerated into crowds while screaming: “Fucking hell, move!”
The 54-year-old defendant will learn his fate on Tuesday after pleading guilty on the first day of his trial last month to 31 criminal charges against 21 adults and eight children.
‘Consumed by Anger’
Prosecutors stated the court that the video evidence from Doyle’s two-tonne Ford Galaxy was “extremely graphic”. It showed the father of three yelling “expletives” and “fucking move” while he headed straight for a large crowd of supporters, with people frantically dragging children to safety as he blasted the horn.
The court was told that Doyle acted as a “individual whose anger whose anger had completely taken hold of him” as he continued driving into the mass of people, accelerating as people collided with his car.
Extent of the Injuries
Overall, the ex-marine hurt 134 individuals in just seven minutes – with over fifty requiring hospital care. An infant was “miraculously” uninjured despite being left splayed on the road when Doyle’s car hit his pram, according to testimony.
A supporter, Simon Nash, was shown being thrown into the air by the car, sustaining a laceration to the back of his head, rib fractures and multiple abrasions.
Doyle was heard screaming “for God’s sake move! Get out my fucking way!” 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, lawyers said approximately a million individuals were present at “an event they believed to be a joyous occasion” marking Liverpool winning their 20th league title. Scenes of jubilation swiftly became “terror”, the prosecutor said, as Doyle drove into oncoming fans as he attempted to pick up a friend who had been at the parade.
“Witnesses thought that what was taking place was a terrorist attack.”
Brave Intervention Stops Driver
With injured people on the street, Doyle’s rampage 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”. Even then, Doyle kept his foot on the accelerator, according to evidence.
In his police interview, the defendant stated he reacted in a “blind panic” because he feared for his life. Yet, prosecutors contended that the dashcam footage showed the defendant “simply lost control in his desire to get to where he wanted to get to”. The prosecutor added: “In a rage, he drove into the crowd and as he did so his intent was to cause serious injury.”
Reckless Behavior Before the Attack
Footage indicated the driver had been driving dangerously before he reached the city centre, undertaking cars at speed and running red lights. He disregarded traffic diversion measures and bypassed other vehicles, including an ambulance and police cars, as he entered the crowds.
The defendant is expected to receive a prison sentence of over a decade at his sentencing hearing.
