Man That Ploughed Into LFC Parade Described as ‘Consumed by Rage’, Court Told.
An ex- Royal Marine acted as a “person consumed by fury” when he mowed down scores of Liverpool football club fans during a victory parade, an incident many initially feared to be a terrorist attack, according to court proceedings.
“The footage was profoundly upsetting.”
Victims in the incident wept while dashcam footage depicted bodies spinning through the air as he accelerated into crowds and shouted: “Fucking hell, move!”
Doyle, 54, will learn his fate on Tuesday after pleading guilty at the start of his trial last month to 31 offences against 29 victims, including eight minors.
‘A Man in a Rage’
The prosecution stated those in court that the footage from Doyle’s large people carrier was “extremely graphic”. The recording revealed the father of three yelling “expletives” as well as “fucking move” 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 acted as a “individual whose anger whose anger had completely taken hold of 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 requiring hospital care. A six-month-old boy was “remarkably” uninjured even though he was left on the roadway when Doyle’s car hit his pram, according to testimony.
A supporter, Simon Nash, was shown being thrown into the air by the car, sustaining a cut on his head, broken ribs and numerous scrapes.
The defendant was heard screaming “for God’s sake move! Get out of my path!” before ploughing further into panicked fans, among them an older woman and young children who became trapped beneath the vehicle.
Celebration Descends into Chaos
Speaking to a full court, lawyers said about 1 million people had attended “an event they believed to be a joyous occasion” marking the football club’s championship win. The celebratory atmosphere turned to “terror”, it was said, as Doyle drove into oncoming fans while trying to collect a companion from the parade route.
“Witnesses believed what was taking place was a terrorist attack.”
Brave Intervention Stops Driver
With injured people on the street, Doyle’s rampage was stopped by a former soldier, a man identified in court, who entered the back of the car and forced the gearstick into park. Despite this, Doyle kept his foot on the accelerator, according to evidence.
In his police interview, Doyle claimed he acted in a “state of sheer panic” due to a fear for his safety. Yet, prosecutors contended that the dashcam footage 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 drove into the crowd and as he did so he intended to cause them serious harm.”
Reckless Behavior Before the Attack
The video indicated Doyle had been driving dangerously prior to entering downtown, overtaking cars dangerously and running red lights. He disregarded road closures and bypassed other vehicles, even emergency service vehicles, as he approached the packed streets.
Doyle is understood to be facing a prison sentence of more than 10 years at his sentencing hearing.