14 hours ago
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Dashcam footage showing Paul Doyle becoming "increasingly agitated" might've made him change his plea, as he prepared to stand trial on allegations that he deliberately injured Liverpool FC supporters celebrating the club's Premier League win.
Doyle, 54, formerly of Burghill Road, West Derby, was due to stand trial at Liverpool Crown Court in relation to the incident on Water Street in Liverpool on Monday May 26 this year in which more than 100 adults and children were injured after his Ford Galaxy drove into a crowd of pedestrians at the Liverpool title parade.
He had previously pleaded not guilty to 31 charges following the incident, but switched his plea today, with prosecutors saying car dashcam footage captured him becoming agitated as he approached Dale Street and Water Street.
Doyle pleaded guilty to 17 counts of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent, nine counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, three counts of wounding and one count each of dangerous driving and affray.
The case has been adjourned for sentencing on 15 and 16 December and Doyle has been further remanded into custody.
CPS Mersey-Cheshire Chief Crown Prosecutor Sarah Hammond said in a statement this morning that Doyle "deliberately drove at" members of the public, "forcing his way through" the crowd after becoming visibly frustrated.
The prosecutor said: "Today's convictions bring a measure of justice for an act that caused unimaginable harm during what should have been a day of celebration for the city of Liverpool.
"Paul Doyle has been held responsible for his deliberate actions that endangered lives and brought chaos upon a community.
"A total of 134 people were injured, including children as young as six months. This attack did not just harm individuals - it struck at the heart of a city united in joy, leaving fear in its wake."
"By entering guilty pleas, Doyle has finally accepted that he intentionally drove into crowds of innocent people during Liverpool FC's victory parade.
"Dashcam footage from Doyle's vehicle shows that as he approached Dale Street and Water Street, he became increasingly agitated by the crowds.
"Rather than wait for them to pass, he deliberately drove at them, forcing his way through. Driving a vehicle into a crowd is an act of calculated violence.
"This was not a momentary lapse by Paul Doyle - it was a choice he made that day and it turned celebration into mayhem. I would like to commend the bravery of emergency services who acted swiftly at the scene. There can be no doubt that their actions saved lives.
"Liverpool as a city has shown resilience and unity in the face of this awful act, and I hope the victims, their families and anyone affected will feel justice has been done."
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