Man That Drove Through LFC Victory Parade Was ‘Consumed by Rage’, Trial Hears.
A former Royal Marines Commando was a “person consumed by fury” as he mowed down scores of Liverpool football club fans at a victory parade, in what many feared was a terrorist attack, a court has heard.
“The video is deeply disturbing.”
Those injured in the incident wept as dashcam footage depicted people being thrown into the air while he sped towards the gathering and shouted: “Get out of the way!”
The 54-year-old defendant is due to be sentenced on Tuesday following his guilty plea at the start of his trial last month to 31 offences against 21 adults and eight children.
‘Consumed by Anger’
The prosecution warned those in court that the video evidence from the defendant’s large people carrier proved to be “truly shocking”. The recording revealed the parent yelling “expletives” and “fucking move” as he drove towards hundreds of fans, some pulling children out of the way as his car horn blared.
The court was told that Doyle acted as a “individual whose anger whose anger had completely taken hold of him” as he ploughed further into the crowd, accelerating as people collided with his car.
Extent of the Injuries
In total, the ex-marine injured 134 individuals within a mere seven-minute span – with over fifty who needed hospital treatment. 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.
One fan, a man named in court, was seen being launched into the air by the vehicle, sustaining a cut on his head, broken ribs and multiple abrasions.
The defendant could be heard shouting “for God’s sake move! Get out of my path!” prior to driving deeper into screaming supporters, among them an older woman and young children who were dragged under the car.
Celebration Descends into Chaos
Speaking to a full court, the prosecution said about 1 million people had attended “what they thought would be a joyous occasion” marking the football club’s championship win. The celebratory atmosphere swiftly became “terror”, the prosecutor said, when the driver entered the crowd while trying to collect a companion from the parade route.
“Some at the scene thought that the events unfolding was a terrorist attack.”
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 climbed into a rear passenger seat and held the car’s gear selector in “park”. Even then, Doyle kept his foot on the accelerator, the court heard.
In his police interview, the defendant claimed he acted in a “state of sheer panic” because he feared for his life. Yet, the prosecution argued that the video demonstrated the defendant “just lost his temper in his determination to reach his destination”. The prosecutor added: “In a rage, he drove into the crowd and in doing so his intent was to cause serious injury.”
Reckless Behavior Before the Attack
Footage showed the driver had been driving dangerously prior to entering downtown, undertaking cars at speed and running red lights. He disregarded traffic diversion measures and bypassed other vehicles, including an ambulance and police cars, as he approached the packed streets.
Doyle is understood to be facing a prison sentence of more than 10 years at his sentencing hearing.
