Man Who Drove Into Liverpool FC Parade Described as ‘In a Rage’, Court Hears.
An ex- Royal Marines Commando was a “person consumed by fury” when he mowed down dozens of Liverpool football club fans during a victory parade, in what many feared was a terrorist attack, according to court proceedings.
“The video is profoundly upsetting.”
Those injured in the incident cried while video from the car’s camera depicted bodies spinning through the air while he sped towards the gathering and shouted: “Get out of the way!”
The 54-year-old defendant is due to be sentenced on Tuesday following his guilty plea on the first day of his trial last month to 31 offences involving 29 victims, including eight minors.
‘A Man in a Rage’
The prosecution stated those in court that the video evidence from Doyle’s large people carrier was “truly shocking”. It showed the father of three yelling “expletives” and “fucking move” while he headed straight for a large crowd of supporters, with people frantically dragging children to safety as he blasted the horn.
It was stated in court that Doyle was a “man in a rage whose anger had completely taken hold of him” as he ploughed further into the crowd, accelerating as people collided with his car.
Scale of the Carnage
In total, the ex-marine injured 134 people in just seven minutes – with over fifty who needed hospital treatment. A six-month-old boy was “remarkably” unharmed even though he was left on the roadway when Doyle’s car hit his pram, according to testimony.
One fan, a man named in court, was seen being launched into the air by the car, sustaining a cut on his head, rib fractures and numerous scrapes.
The defendant was heard screaming “for God’s sake move! Get out my fucking way!” prior to driving deeper into panicked fans, including an elderly woman and children who were dragged under the car.
Scene of Jubilation Turns to Horror
Speaking to a full court, lawyers said approximately a million individuals were present at “what they thought would be a joyous occasion” marking Liverpool winning their 20th league title. Scenes of jubilation swiftly became “terror”, the prosecutor said, when the driver entered the crowd while trying to collect a companion who had been at the parade.
“Witnesses believed the events unfolding was a terrorist attack.”
Brave Intervention Stops Driver
As bodies lay on the ground, the vehicle’s path was brought to a halt by a former soldier, 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, the court heard.
In his police interview, the defendant stated he reacted in a “state of sheer panic” due to a fear for his safety. However, prosecutors contended that the video showed Doyle “just lost his temper in his determination to reach his destination”. The prosecutor added: “Consumed by anger, he targeted the crowd and in doing so his intent was to cause serious injury.”
Reckless Behavior Before the Attack
The video showed the driver was driving recklessly before he reached the city centre, undertaking cars at speed and jumping red lights. He disregarded traffic diversion measures and weaved around other cars, even emergency service vehicles, as he approached the packed streets.
Doyle is expected to receive a prison sentence of over a decade when he is sentenced on Tuesday.
