Driver Who Drove Into Liverpool FC Victory Parade Was ‘In a Rage’, Court Told.
A former Royal Marines Commando was a “man in a rage” when he mowed down dozens of LFC fans during a championship celebration, an incident many initially feared to be a act of terrorism, according to court proceedings.
“The footage was deeply disturbing.”
Victims in the incident cried as dashcam footage depicted bodies spinning through the air while he sped towards the gathering and shouted: “Fucking hell, move!”
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 against 29 victims, including eight minors.
‘A Man in a Rage’
Prosecutors stated the court that the footage from the defendant’s two-tonne Ford Galaxy was “extremely graphic”. It showed the father of three yelling “expletives” and “move out of the way” as he drove towards a large crowd of supporters, with people frantically dragging children to safety as he blasted the horn.
The court was told that Doyle was a “individual whose anger had completely overpowered him” as he ploughed further into the crowd, speeding up while individuals were struck by his vehicle.
Scale of the Carnage
Overall, the ex-marine injured 134 people in just seven minutes – with over fifty who needed hospital treatment. A six-month-old boy was “miraculously” unharmed even though he was left on the roadway after the vehicle struck his stroller, according to testimony.
A supporter, a man named in court, was seen being launched 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.
Celebration Descends into Chaos
Speaking to a full court, the prosecution said about 1 million people had attended “an event they believed to be a joyous occasion” to celebrate Liverpool winning their 20th league title. The celebratory atmosphere swiftly became “horror”, it was said, as Doyle drove into oncoming fans as he attempted to pick up a friend from the parade route.
“Some at the scene believed the events unfolding constituted a terrorist incident.”
Brave Intervention Stops Driver
With injured people on the street, Doyle’s rampage was stopped by a former soldier, Dan Barr, who entered the back of the car and held the car’s gear selector in “park”. Despite this, Doyle kept his foot on the accelerator, according to evidence.
During questioning, Doyle stated he acted in a “state of sheer panic” because he feared for his life. Yet, the prosecution argued that the video demonstrated Doyle “just lost his temper in his determination to reach his destination”. It was further stated: “In a rage, he targeted the crowd and in doing so he intended to cause them serious harm.”
Dangerous Driving Prior to Incident
Footage indicated the driver had been driving dangerously before he reached the city centre, overtaking cars dangerously and jumping red lights. He ignored road closures and bypassed other vehicles, including an ambulance and police cars, as he approached the packed streets.
Doyle is understood to be facing a jail term of over a decade at his sentencing hearing.
