Driver Who Drove Through Liverpool FC Parade Was ‘In a Rage’, Trial Told.
An ex- Royal Marines Commando acted as a “person consumed by fury” when he mowed down scores of Liverpool football club supporters during a championship celebration, an incident many initially feared to be a act of terrorism, a court has heard.
“The footage was deeply disturbing.”
Victims in the incident wept as dashcam footage showed people being thrown into the air as he accelerated into crowds and shouted: “Get out of the way!”
Doyle, 54, is due to be sentenced on Tuesday following his guilty plea at the start of his trial last month to 31 offences involving 21 adults and eight children.
‘Consumed by Anger’
The prosecution stated the court that the footage from Doyle’s large people carrier was “truly shocking”. It showed the father of three yelling “expletives” 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.
It was stated in court that Doyle was a “man in a rage had completely overpowered him” as he ploughed further into the crowd, accelerating as people collided with his car.
Extent of the Injuries
In total, the ex-marine hurt 134 people within a mere seven-minute span – with over fifty who needed hospital treatment. A six-month-old boy was “remarkably” 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 cut to the back of his head, rib fractures and multiple abrasions.
The defendant was heard screaming “fuck’s sake move! Get out my fucking way!” before ploughing further into panicked fans, including an elderly woman and 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 “what they thought would be a joyous occasion” marking the football club’s championship win. The celebratory atmosphere swiftly became “terror”, it was said, when the driver entered the crowd while trying to collect a companion who had been at the parade.
“Witnesses believed the events unfolding constituted a terrorist incident.”
Brave Intervention Stops Driver
As bodies lay on the ground, the vehicle’s path was brought to a halt by an ex-army member, Dan Barr, who climbed into a rear passenger seat and held the car’s gear selector in “park”. Despite this, Doyle continued pressing the gas pedal, according to evidence.
During questioning, Doyle claimed he acted in a “blind panic” because he feared for his life. However, prosecutors contended that the dashcam footage showed Doyle “just lost his temper in his desire to get to where he wanted to get to”. It was further stated: “Consumed by anger, 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 had been driving dangerously before he reached the city centre, undertaking cars at speed and jumping red lights. He disregarded road closures and weaved around other cars, even emergency service vehicles, as he approached the packed streets.
Doyle is understood to be facing a jail term of more than 10 years when he is sentenced on Tuesday.
