Driver That Drove Through LFC Parade Was ‘In a Rage’, Court Told.
A former Royal Marines Commando acted as a “man in a rage” when he drove into dozens of Liverpool football club supporters during a victory parade, an incident many initially feared to be a act of terrorism, a court has heard.
“The video was profoundly upsetting.”
Victims in the incident wept while dashcam footage showed bodies spinning through the air while he sped towards the gathering while screaming: “Get out of the way!”
Doyle, 54, is due to be sentenced on Tuesday after pleading guilty on the first day of his trial last month to 31 criminal charges involving 21 adults and eight children.
‘Consumed by Anger’
The prosecution warned those in court that the footage from the defendant’s large people carrier was “extremely graphic”. It showed the father of three shouting “fucking pricks” and “move out of the way” while he headed straight for hundreds of fans, with people frantically dragging children to safety 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
Overall, the former Royal Marine hurt 134 people within a mere seven-minute span – including more than 50 who needed hospital treatment. An infant was “remarkably” unharmed despite being left splayed on the road when Doyle’s car hit his pram, the court heard.
A supporter, Simon Nash, was seen being launched into the air by the vehicle, suffering a laceration on his head, broken ribs and numerous scrapes.
Doyle could be heard shouting “fuck’s sake move! Get out my fucking way!” before ploughing further into panicked fans, among them an older woman and young children who were dragged under the car.
Celebration Descends into Chaos
Addressing a packed courtroom, the prosecution said about 1 million people had attended “what they thought would be a day of joyfulness” to celebrate the football club’s championship win. Scenes of jubilation turned to “terror”, the prosecutor said, when the driver entered the crowd while trying to collect a companion from the parade route.
“Witnesses thought that what was taking place was a terrorist attack.”
Brave Intervention Stops Driver
With injured people on the street, the vehicle’s path was brought to a halt by an ex-army member, a man identified in court, who climbed into a rear passenger seat and held the car’s gear selector in “park”. Even then, Doyle continued pressing the gas pedal, the court heard.
In his police interview, Doyle claimed he reacted in a “state of sheer panic” because he feared for his life. Yet, prosecutors contended that the dashcam footage showed Doyle “simply lost control in his determination to reach his destination”. It was further stated: “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, overtaking cars dangerously and running red lights. He ignored road closures and weaved around other vehicles, even emergency service vehicles, as he entered the crowds.
The defendant is understood to be facing a prison sentence of over a decade when he is sentenced on Tuesday.
