Man Who Drove Through Liverpool FC Parade Was ‘Consumed by Rage’, Court Told.
An ex- Royal Marine acted as a “person consumed by fury” when he mowed down scores of Liverpool football club fans at a victory parade, in what many feared was a act of terrorism, according to court proceedings.
“The footage is deeply disturbing.”
Victims in the incident wept as dashcam footage depicted people being thrown into the air as he accelerated into crowds while screaming: “Fucking hell, move!”
The 54-year-old defendant is due to be sentenced on Tuesday after pleading guilty on the first day of his trial last month to 31 offences against 21 adults and eight children.
‘A Man in a Rage’
Prosecutors warned the court that the video evidence from the defendant’s two-tonne Ford Galaxy proved to be “extremely graphic”. The recording revealed the father of three yelling “fucking pricks” as well as “fucking move” as he drove towards hundreds of fans, some pulling children out of the way as he blasted the horn.
The court was told that Doyle acted as a “man in a rage had completely overpowered him” as he continued driving into the mass of people, speeding up as people collided with his car.
Extent of the Injuries
Overall, the former Royal Marine hurt 134 people within a mere seven-minute span – with over fifty requiring hospital care. An infant was “remarkably” unharmed even though he was left on the roadway after the vehicle struck his stroller, according to testimony.
A supporter, Simon Nash, was seen being launched into the air by the car, sustaining a cut to the back of his head, broken ribs and multiple abrasions.
The defendant could be heard shouting “fuck’s sake move! Get out of my path!” 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 had attended “what they thought would be a joyous occasion” to celebrate Liverpool winning their 20th league title. The celebratory atmosphere swiftly became “terror”, it was said, as Doyle drove into oncoming fans as he attempted to pick up a friend who had been at the parade.
“Witnesses believed 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 held the car’s gear selector in “park”. Even then, Doyle continued pressing the gas pedal, the court heard.
During questioning, the defendant stated he reacted in a “state of sheer panic” due to a fear for his safety. Yet, prosecutors contended that the video demonstrated the defendant “just lost his temper in his determination to reach his destination”. It was further stated: “In a rage, he targeted the crowd and as he did so he intended to cause them serious harm.”
Dangerous Driving Prior to Incident
Footage showed the driver was driving recklessly prior to entering downtown, undertaking cars at speed and jumping red lights. He ignored road closures and bypassed other cars, including an ambulance and police cars, as he entered the crowds.
The defendant is understood to be facing a prison sentence of over a decade at his sentencing hearing.
