Man Who Ploughed Through LFC Parade Was ‘In a Rage’, Court Told.
An ex- Royal Marines Commando was a “person consumed by fury” when he mowed down scores of LFC fans during a victory parade, an incident many initially feared to be a act of terrorism, a court has heard.
“The footage was deeply disturbing.”
Victims of Paul Doyle wept while dashcam footage depicted bodies spinning through the air while he sped towards the gathering and shouted: “Fucking hell, move!”
The 54-year-old defendant 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 warned those in court that the video evidence from Doyle’s large people carrier was “truly shocking”. It showed the father of three shouting “expletives” and “move out of the way” while he headed straight for hundreds of fans, some pulling children out of the way as he blasted the horn.
The court was told 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.
Scale of the Carnage
Overall, the ex-marine hurt 134 individuals in just seven minutes – including more than 50 who needed hospital treatment. A six-month-old boy was “remarkably” unharmed even though he was left on the roadway after the vehicle struck his stroller, according to testimony.
One fan, a man named in court, was shown being thrown into the air by the car, suffering a laceration to the back of his head, rib fractures and multiple abrasions.
The defendant could be heard shouting “fuck’s sake move! Get out of my path!” 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, the prosecution said approximately a million individuals were present at “an event they believed to be a day of joyfulness” marking the football club’s championship win. The celebratory atmosphere swiftly became “horror”, the prosecutor said, as Doyle drove into oncoming fans while trying to collect a companion from the parade route.
“Witnesses believed the events unfolding was a terrorist attack.”
Brave Intervention Stops Driver
With injured people on the street, Doyle’s rampage was stopped by an ex-army member, a man identified in court, who entered the back of the car and held the car’s gear selector in “park”. Even then, Doyle kept his foot on the accelerator, the court heard.
During questioning, Doyle claimed he reacted in a “blind panic” because he feared for his life. Yet, the prosecution argued that the video showed Doyle “simply lost control in his desire to get to where he wanted to get to”. It was further stated: “In a rage, he targeted the crowd and as he did so his intent was to cause serious injury.”
Dangerous Driving Prior to Incident
The video indicated Doyle was driving recklessly before he reached the city centre, overtaking cars dangerously and running red lights. He ignored road closures and bypassed other vehicles, including an ambulance and police cars, as he approached the packed streets.
The defendant is understood to be facing a jail term of more than 10 years when he is sentenced on Tuesday.
