Paul Doyle Pleads Guilty to Dangerous Driving Incident at Liverpool FC Parade

Paul Doyle has pleaded guilty to driving his vehicle into a large group of supporters during the Liverpool FC victory parade.

The 54-year-old acknowledged his culpability for several serious offenses, including dangerous driving, affray, 17 counts of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent, nine counts of causing GBH with intent, and three counts of wounding with intent.

The Crown Prosecution Service characterized the incident as an “act of calculated violence,” which occurred on the evening of May 26, resulting in injuries to more than 130 individuals.

Doyle, a father of three from Croxteth, Liverpool, appeared in court visibly distressed, having lowered his head in sorrow as he altered his pleas on the second day of his trial at Liverpool Crown Court.

On the day of the attack, thousands of Liverpool fans gathered in the city to celebrate the parade, which commenced at 14:30 BST.

As the team bus proceeded down The Strand, nearing the conclusion of the parade, Doyle drove his Ford Galaxy Titanium into crowds on Water Street shortly after 18:00, leading to over 130 reported injuries.

He was apprehended at the scene and charged later that week. Although a jury was sworn in for his trial, Doyle changed his pleas before the prosecution commenced its opening statements.

The charges pertain to victims aged between six months and 77 years old.

Doyle, a former Royal Marine, exhibited emotional distress during several pre-trial hearings, attending those sessions via videolink from prison and receiving support from family members.

Recorder Andrew Menary KC indicated to Doyle that a significant custodial sentence was “inevitable.”

A sentencing hearing is scheduled for December 15 and 16 at the same court.

Sarah Hammond, chief crown prosecutor for the Crime Prosecution Service, stated that Doyle has finally acknowledged that he intentionally drove into a crowd of innocent individuals.

“Dashcam footage from Doyle’s vehicle reveals that as he approached Dale Street and Water Street, he became increasingly agitated by the throngs of people,” she explained. “Rather than waiting for them to pass, he deliberately drove into them, forcing his way through.”

Hammond emphasized that driving a vehicle into a crowd is an act of calculated violence, noting that this incident transformed what should have been a celebratory occasion into chaos.

In May, Merseyside Police indicated that they believed Doyle had followed an ambulance onto Water Street after a temporary roadblock was lifted to allow emergency crews to attend to a person experiencing a heart attack.

Detective Chief Inspector John Fitzgerald remarked that it was only by sheer luck that no fatalities occurred due to Doyle’s reckless actions, adding, “In just seven minutes, his dangerous driving resulted in his vehicle colliding with more than 100 people, including children, in some instances trapping individuals beneath his car and causing serious injuries.”

He concluded by stating, “What should have been a day of celebration for the city turned into a distressing and frightening experience, leaving many individuals with lasting physical and psychological trauma.”