Liam Naylor, a 31-year-old plumber from Huyton, Merseyside, shouted 'do you know who I am?' before ploughing his car into a crowd outside the Queens Arms pub on Father's Day last year, leaving a 61-year-old man with a broken leg. He was jailed for two years and 11 months at Liverpool Crown Court on Tuesday.
Incident Details
On June 15, 2025, Naylor was involved in a disagreement inside the pub. The parties appeared to resolve matters and shook hands, but shortly afterwards, as Naylor sat in his car, he began shouting aggressively. Mobile phone footage showed him reversing and then driving forward into a small crowd, running over John Amore, who had been trying to stop him from driving while intoxicated.
A second man narrowly escaped by vaulting headfirst over railings, dropping his pint in the process. A bystander could be heard shouting 'You soft c***' as the car struck Mr Amore.
Victim Impact
Mr Amore, a self-employed man who had been celebrating Father's Day, suffered fractures to his tibia and fibula, requiring a nine-hour operation and a skin graft. He spent nine days in hospital and was unable to work for nine months. In a statement read to the court, he said: 'As a result of this small man wanting to fight the world, my life has been altered for the rest of my life. Father's Day will never be the same for our family again.'
He added that he now avoids crowded places and wakes up sweating, reliving the incident. His partner, an NHS employee, had to wake at 5am to care for him before work.
Sentencing
Naylor admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm, dangerous driving, drink driving, and failing to provide a specimen. He had a previous conviction for battery and criminal damage in 2015. His defence barrister, Callum Ross, said the offence was 'out of character' and that Naylor was 'full of regret.'
Recorder Anna Pope KC told Naylor: 'You used your car as a weapon. You made an extreme decision to drive in extremely dangerous circumstances.' She noted his genuine remorse but highlighted the serious injury caused. Naylor was also banned from driving for 47 months and must pass an extended retest.
Police Reaction
Detective Inspector Steve Wilkinson of Merseyside Police said: 'This case highlights the dangers of drink driving and that this kind of reckless behaviour can put several lives at risk. I hope Naylor reflects on this incident and fully understands the impact his actions have had.'
