Driver Who Ploughed Through Liverpool FC Parade Described as ‘Consumed by Rage’, Trial Hears.
An ex- Royal Marines Commando was a “person consumed by fury” when he drove into scores of Liverpool football club supporters at a victory parade, an incident many initially feared to be a terrorist attack, a court has heard.
“The video is deeply disturbing.”
Victims in the incident wept while video from the car’s camera showed bodies spinning through the air as he accelerated into crowds and shouted: “Get out of the way!”
The 54-year-old defendant is due to be sentenced on Tuesday after pleading guilty on the first day of his trial last month to 31 offences involving 21 adults and eight children.
‘Consumed by Anger’
The prosecution warned the court that the video evidence from the defendant’s large people carrier was “extremely graphic”. The recording revealed the parent yelling “expletives” as well as “move out of the way” as he drove towards a large crowd of supporters, some pulling children out of the way as his car horn blared.
The court was told that Doyle was a “man in a rage had completely overpowered him” as he ploughed further into the crowd, accelerating while individuals were struck by his vehicle.
Scale of the Carnage
In total, the former Royal Marine injured 134 individuals in just seven minutes – with over fifty who needed hospital treatment. An infant was “miraculously” uninjured despite being left splayed on the road after the vehicle struck his stroller, according to testimony.
One fan, a man named in court, was seen being launched into the air by the vehicle, sustaining a laceration on his head, broken ribs and numerous scrapes.
Doyle could be heard shouting “for God’s sake move! Get out my fucking way!” prior to driving deeper into panicked fans, among them an older woman and young children who were dragged under the car.
Scene of Jubilation Turns to Horror
Addressing a packed courtroom, the prosecution said about 1 million people were present at “an event they believed to be a day of joyfulness” marking Liverpool winning their 20th league title. The celebratory atmosphere swiftly became “terror”, the prosecutor said, when the driver entered the crowd as he attempted to pick up a friend from the parade route.
“Witnesses thought that the events unfolding constituted a terrorist incident.”
Brave Intervention Stops Driver
With injured people on the street, Doyle’s rampage was brought to a halt by an ex-army member, Dan Barr, who entered the back of the car and forced the gearstick into park. Even then, Doyle kept his foot on the accelerator, according to evidence.
In his police interview, the defendant stated he reacted in a “state of sheer panic” due to a fear for his safety. Yet, prosecutors contended that the video demonstrated the defendant “just lost his temper in his desire to get to where he wanted to get to”. 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
The video indicated Doyle had been driving dangerously prior to entering downtown, overtaking cars dangerously and jumping red lights. He disregarded traffic diversion measures 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.
