Driver Who Drove Into LFC Victory Parade Described as ‘In a Rage’, Trial Told.
A former Royal Marines Commando acted as a “person consumed by fury” when he mowed down scores of LFC supporters at a victory parade, an incident many initially feared to be a act of terrorism, a court has heard.
“The footage is profoundly upsetting.”
Victims in the incident cried as dashcam footage showed people being thrown into the air as he accelerated into crowds while screaming: “Get out of the way!”
Doyle, 54, is due to be sentenced on Tuesday following his guilty plea on the first day of his trial last month to 31 criminal charges involving 29 victims, including eight minors.
‘A Man in a Rage’
Prosecutors stated those in court that the video evidence from the defendant’s large people carrier was “truly shocking”. The recording revealed the father of three yelling “expletives” and “move out of the way” while he headed straight for hundreds of fans, some pulling children out of the way as his car horn blared.
It was stated in court that Doyle acted as a “individual whose anger whose anger had completely taken hold of him” as he continued driving into the mass of people, accelerating as people collided with his car.
Extent of the Injuries
Overall, the ex-marine hurt 134 people within a mere seven-minute span – 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, the court heard.
A supporter, Simon Nash, was seen being launched into the air by the vehicle, suffering a laceration on his head, broken ribs and numerous scrapes.
The defendant could be heard shouting “for God’s sake move! Get out of my path!” before ploughing further into panicked fans, including an elderly woman and 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 day of joyfulness” marking Liverpool winning their 20th league title. The celebratory atmosphere swiftly became “terror”, the prosecutor said, as Doyle drove into oncoming fans while trying to collect a companion from the parade route.
“Witnesses thought that what was taking place constituted a terrorist incident.”
Brave Intervention Stops Driver
With injured people on the street, Doyle’s rampage was brought to a halt 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 continued pressing the gas pedal, the court heard.
In his police interview, the defendant stated he reacted in a “blind panic” due to a fear for his safety. Yet, prosecutors contended that the video demonstrated Doyle “simply lost control 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.”
Reckless Behavior Before the Attack
Footage showed the driver had been driving dangerously prior to entering downtown, undertaking cars at speed and running red lights. He ignored traffic diversion measures and bypassed other cars, including an ambulance and police cars, as he entered the crowds.
Doyle is expected to receive a prison sentence of over a decade at his sentencing hearing.
