Driver That Drove Into Liverpool FC Parade Was ‘Consumed by Rage’, Court Told.

An ex- Royal Marine was a “person consumed by fury” as he mowed down dozens of Liverpool football club supporters at a victory parade, in what many feared was a act of terrorism, according to court proceedings.

“The footage was deeply disturbing.”

Those injured of Paul Doyle cried while 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 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 warned the court that the video evidence from Doyle’s large people carrier was “extremely graphic”. It showed the parent shouting “fucking pricks” as well as “move out of the way” as he drove towards a large crowd of supporters, some pulling children out of the way as his car horn blared.

The court was told that Doyle was a “individual whose anger had completely overpowered him” as he ploughed further into the crowd, accelerating while individuals were struck by his vehicle.

Scale of the Carnage

In total, the ex-marine injured 134 individuals within a mere seven-minute span – with over fifty requiring hospital care. A six-month-old boy was “remarkably” 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 to the back of his head, rib fractures and multiple abrasions.

The defendant was heard screaming “for God’s sake move! Get out my fucking way!” before ploughing further into screaming supporters, including an elderly woman and children who became trapped beneath the vehicle.

Scene of Jubilation Turns to Horror

Speaking to a full court, lawyers said approximately a million individuals were present at “what they thought would be a day of joyfulness” marking the football club’s championship win. 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.

“Some at the scene thought that the events unfolding constituted a terrorist incident.”

Rampage Halted by Heroic Act

As bodies lay on the ground, the vehicle’s path was brought to a halt by a former soldier, a man identified in court, who entered the back of the car and forced the gearstick into park. Even then, Doyle continued pressing the gas pedal, according to evidence.

During questioning, Doyle stated he acted in a “state of sheer panic” because he feared for his life. However, the prosecution argued that the video showed Doyle “simply lost control in his determination to reach his destination”. It was further stated: “Consumed by anger, he targeted the crowd and as he did so he intended to cause them serious harm.”

Reckless Behavior Before the Attack

The video showed the driver had been driving dangerously prior to entering downtown, undertaking cars at speed and running red lights. He ignored road closures and weaved around other cars, even emergency service vehicles, as he approached the packed streets.

The defendant is expected to receive a jail term of over a decade at his sentencing hearing.

Wesley Morse
Wesley Morse

Maya Chen is a tech journalist and AI researcher with over a decade of experience covering emerging technologies and their impact on society.