Driver That Drove Into LFC Parade Was ‘Consumed by Rage’, Trial Hears.
An ex- Royal Marine was a “person consumed by fury” as he drove into scores of Liverpool football club fans during a victory parade, in what many feared was a act of terrorism, a court has heard.
“The video was profoundly upsetting.”
Those injured in the incident wept as video from the car’s camera showed bodies spinning through the air as he accelerated into crowds while screaming: “Fucking hell, move!”
The 54-year-old defendant will learn his fate on Tuesday following his guilty plea on the first day of his trial last month to 31 criminal charges involving 21 adults and eight children.
‘A Man in a Rage’
The prosecution stated those in court that the video evidence from Doyle’s two-tonne Ford Galaxy proved to be “truly shocking”. It showed the parent shouting “expletives” and “fucking move” while he headed straight for a large crowd of supporters, some pulling children out of the way as his car horn blared.
It was stated in court that Doyle acted as 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 individuals in just seven minutes – including more than 50 who needed hospital treatment. A six-month-old boy was “remarkably” unharmed despite being left splayed on the road when Doyle’s car hit his pram, according to testimony.
One fan, Simon Nash, was shown being thrown into the air by the car, suffering a cut to the back of his head, broken ribs and numerous scrapes.
The defendant could be heard shouting “fuck’s sake move! Get out my fucking way!” before ploughing further into screaming supporters, 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 approximately a million individuals had attended “what they thought would be a day of joyfulness” marking the football club’s championship win. Scenes of jubilation turned to “terror”, it was said, as Doyle drove into oncoming fans while trying to collect a companion from the parade route.
“Witnesses thought that the events unfolding constituted a terrorist incident.”
Rampage Halted by Heroic Act
With injured people on the street, the vehicle’s path 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 continued pressing the gas pedal, according to evidence.
During questioning, the defendant claimed he acted in a “state of sheer panic” due to a fear for his safety. Yet, the prosecution argued that the video demonstrated the defendant “just lost his temper in his determination to reach his destination”. The prosecutor added: “In a rage, he drove into the crowd and as he did so his intent was to cause serious injury.”
Dangerous Driving Prior to Incident
The video indicated the driver was driving recklessly before he reached the city centre, undertaking cars at speed and jumping red lights. He ignored traffic diversion measures and weaved around other vehicles, even emergency service vehicles, as he entered the crowds.
Doyle is understood to be facing a prison sentence of more than 10 years when he is sentenced on Tuesday.
