Neighbours Express Disbelief Over 'Family Man's' Calculated Carnage
Friends and neighbours of Paul Doyle have been left reeling with shock after the 54-year-old father-of-three admitted to deliberately driving his car into crowds celebrating the Liverpool FC victory parade. On what should have been a day of city-wide joy, Doyle's actions on May 26 resulted in 134 people being injured, including a six-month-old baby and a 77-year-old pensioner.
In the quiet Croxteth cul-de-sac of Burghill Road, where Doyle lived with his teacher wife and three sons, there is a palpable sense of disbelief. Described by those who knew him as a "nice guy" with a "heart of gold," the "family man" was seen happily gardening and chatting with neighbours just hours before the horrific incident.
A Journey of Aggression Unravels in Court
Prosecutors outlined that Doyle's 25-minute drive into Liverpool city centre to pick up a friend was not a momentary lapse, but a sustained episode of reckless and dangerous driving. His own incriminating dashcam footage became a key piece of evidence, contradicting his initial claims to police.
Doyle had stated he panicked after seeing a man with a knife and someone smashing his window, but the footage told a different story. It showed him angrily swearing, undertaking vehicles, and jumping red lights before he "deliberately drove at" the crowds, "forcing his way through." Prosecutors labelled his actions an "act of calculated violence" that turned "celebration into mayhem."
Footage from the scene showed people being struck and bouncing off the bonnet of his Ford Galaxy Titanium. The car was seen slowing before accelerating again, leaving at least four people trapped beneath its wheels.
Guilty Pleas and the Aftermath of Trauma
After months of denials, Doyle changed his plea to guilty at the last minute. At his hearing, the 54-year-old sobbed in the dock, bowing his head and clasping his hands as he admitted to all 31 charges.
The charges included:
- Dangerous driving
- Affray
- 17 charges of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent
- Nine counts of causing GBH with intent
- Three counts of wounding with intent
Judge Andrew Menary KC, the Recorder of Liverpool, warned Doyle to expect a "custodial sentence of some length" when he is sentenced next month. Sarah Hammond, Mersey-Cheshire chief crown prosecutor, stated that Doyle had "finally accepted that he intentionally drove into crowds of innocent people" and that his actions "struck at the heart of a city united in joy, leaving fear in its wake."
Back in Croxteth, the human cost of Doyle's actions continues to unfold. One neighbour recounted how Doyle's wife "burst into tears" when asked about the incident, adding, "I feel sorry for them, it's ruined their lives." Colleagues from his IT consultancy job expressed similar shock, describing a "great mentor with a great sense of humour" who showed no signs of the temper that led to the day's events.
