Driver Who Ploughed Into Liverpool FC Parade Described as ‘Consumed by Rage’, Trial Hears.
An ex- Royal Marines Commando acted as a “person consumed by fury” as he mowed down scores of Liverpool football club fans during a victory parade, an incident many initially feared to be a act of terrorism, according to court proceedings.
“The video was profoundly upsetting.”
Those injured in the incident cried as video from the car’s camera showed bodies spinning through 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 at the start of his trial last month to 31 criminal charges involving 29 victims, including eight minors.
‘A Man in a Rage’
The prosecution warned the court that the video evidence from the defendant’s large people carrier proved to be “truly shocking”. The recording revealed the parent shouting “expletives” as well as “fucking move” as he drove towards hundreds of fans, with people frantically dragging children to safety as his car horn blared.
It was stated in court that Doyle was a “individual whose anger whose anger had completely taken hold of him” as he ploughed further into the crowd, accelerating while individuals were struck by his vehicle.
Extent of the Injuries
Overall, the former Royal Marine hurt 134 individuals in just seven minutes – with over fifty requiring hospital care. An infant was “miraculously” uninjured 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, sustaining a laceration on his head, broken ribs and numerous scrapes.
Doyle could be heard shouting “for God’s sake move! Get out of my path!” before ploughing further into panicked fans, among them an older woman and young children who became trapped beneath the vehicle.
Scene of Jubilation Turns to Horror
Addressing a packed courtroom, lawyers said approximately a million individuals had attended “an event they believed to be a day of joyfulness” marking the football club’s championship win. The celebratory atmosphere turned to “horror”, the prosecutor said, when the driver entered the crowd 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 stopped by an ex-army member, Dan Barr, who entered the back of the car and held the car’s gear selector in “park”. Despite this, Doyle continued pressing the gas pedal, according to evidence.
During questioning, the defendant stated he reacted in a “blind panic” due to a fear for his safety. Yet, prosecutors contended that the video demonstrated Doyle “simply lost control in his desire to get to where he wanted to get to”. It was further stated: “In a rage, he drove into the crowd and as he did so his intent was to cause serious injury.”
Dangerous Driving Prior to Incident
The video indicated the driver was driving recklessly before he reached the city centre, overtaking cars dangerously and running red lights. He disregarded road closures and bypassed other vehicles, even emergency service vehicles, as he entered the crowds.
Doyle is expected to receive a prison sentence of more than 10 years at his sentencing hearing.
