Man Who Drove Into Liverpool FC Victory Parade Was ‘Consumed by Rage’, Court Hears.
An ex- Royal Marines Commando acted as a “person consumed by fury” when he drove into dozens of Liverpool football club fans during a championship celebration, in what many feared was a act of terrorism, according to court proceedings.
“The video was deeply disturbing.”
Victims in the incident wept as dashcam footage showed people being thrown into the air as he accelerated into crowds while screaming: “Get out of the way!”
The 54-year-old defendant will learn his fate on Tuesday following his guilty plea on the first day of his trial last month to 31 offences involving 29 victims, including eight minors.
‘Consumed by Anger’
Prosecutors warned the court that the video evidence from Doyle’s two-tonne Ford Galaxy proved to be “truly shocking”. The recording revealed the parent yelling “fucking pricks” and “fucking move” while he headed straight for hundreds of fans, some pulling children out of the way as his car horn blared.
The court was told that Doyle was a “man in a rage had completely overpowered him” as he ploughed further into the crowd, accelerating as people collided with his car.
Scale of the Carnage
Overall, the ex-marine hurt 134 people in just seven minutes – with over fifty requiring hospital care. A six-month-old boy was “miraculously” uninjured even though he was left on the roadway after the vehicle struck his stroller, according to testimony.
One fan, a man named in court, was shown being thrown into the air by the vehicle, sustaining a cut to the back of his head, rib fractures and numerous scrapes.
The defendant was heard screaming “for God’s sake move! Get out my fucking way!” before ploughing further into panicked fans, among them an older woman and young children who were dragged under the car.
Scene of Jubilation Turns to Horror
Speaking to a full court, the prosecution said approximately a million individuals were present at “what they thought would be a joyous occasion” marking the football club’s championship win. Scenes of jubilation turned to “terror”, the prosecutor said, when the driver entered the crowd as he attempted to pick up a friend 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 forced the gearstick into park. Despite this, Doyle continued pressing the gas pedal, the court heard.
In his police interview, Doyle stated he reacted in a “blind panic” due to a fear for his safety. However, the prosecution argued that the video demonstrated the defendant “simply lost control in his desire to get to where he wanted to get to”. The prosecutor added: “Consumed by anger, he targeted the crowd and in doing so his intent was to cause serious injury.”
Reckless Behavior Before the Attack
The video showed the driver had been driving dangerously prior to entering downtown, overtaking cars dangerously and jumping red lights. He disregarded traffic diversion measures and weaved around other vehicles, including an ambulance and police cars, as he entered the crowds.
Doyle is expected to receive a jail term of more than 10 years when he is sentenced on Tuesday.