Driver That Drove Through Liverpool FC Victory Parade Was ‘In a Rage’, Trial Hears.
An ex- Royal Marine was a “man in a rage” when he drove into dozens of Liverpool football club supporters during a victory parade, an incident many initially feared to be a terrorist attack, according to court proceedings.
“The video is profoundly upsetting.”
Victims in the incident wept as video from the car’s camera depicted people being thrown into the air as he accelerated into crowds and shouted: “Get out of the way!”
Doyle, 54, will learn his fate on Tuesday following his guilty plea on the first day of his trial last month to 31 offences against 29 victims, including eight minors.
‘A Man in a Rage’
The prosecution stated those in court that the footage from the defendant’s two-tonne Ford Galaxy proved to be “truly shocking”. It showed the father of three yelling “expletives” and “move out of the way” as he drove towards hundreds of fans, 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 ploughed further into the crowd, speeding up while individuals were struck by his vehicle.
Scale of the Carnage
Overall, the ex-marine injured 134 individuals in just seven minutes – with over fifty requiring hospital care. An infant was “miraculously” unharmed even though he was left on the roadway after the vehicle struck his stroller, the court heard.
A supporter, a man named in court, was shown being thrown into the air by the car, suffering a cut on his head, rib fractures and multiple abrasions.
Doyle was heard screaming “for God’s sake move! Get out my fucking way!” before ploughing further into screaming supporters, among them an older woman and young children who became trapped beneath the vehicle.
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” to celebrate the football club’s championship win. Scenes of jubilation swiftly became “horror”, it was said, when the driver entered the crowd while trying to collect a companion from the parade route.
“Some at the scene believed what was taking place was a terrorist attack.”
Rampage Halted by Heroic Act
With injured people on the street, Doyle’s rampage 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”. Even then, Doyle continued pressing the gas pedal, according to evidence.
During questioning, Doyle claimed he acted in a “blind panic” due to a fear for his safety. However, prosecutors contended that the video demonstrated 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 he intended to cause them serious harm.”
Reckless Behavior Before the Attack
Footage showed Doyle had been driving dangerously prior to entering downtown, overtaking cars dangerously and running red lights. He ignored road closures and weaved around other vehicles, including an ambulance and police cars, as he entered the crowds.
Doyle is understood to be facing a prison sentence of more than 10 years when he is sentenced on Tuesday.
