A former Royal Marine faces a substantial prison sentence after admitting he deliberately drove his car into crowds of Liverpool fans celebrating their team's Premier League title victory, causing mass injuries and widespread panic.
The Carnage on Water Street
Paul Doyle, a 54-year-old father-of-three from Croxteth, Liverpool, unleashed seven minutes of terror on May 26 when he used his Ford Galaxy people carrier as a weapon against celebrating supporters. The attack left 134 people injured, 29 of them seriously, with witnesses initially fearing they were caught in a terrorist incident.
Doyle had initially fabricated a story about escaping a knifeman, but later dramatically changed his plea at Liverpool Crown Court, admitting all 31 counts against him. Prosecutors revealed they had intended to argue that Doyle, who was sober and not under the influence of drugs, flew into a rage when his route became blocked by crowds.
Heroic Intervention Ends Attack
The terrifying rampage was only stopped when a courageous supporter bravely entered Doyle's moving vehicle and grabbed hold of the automatic gearstick, putting the two-tonne car into park and bringing it to a halt. Without this intervention, the consequences could have been even more devastating.
Damning evidence from Doyle's own dashcam system captured both video and audio of his aggressive driving throughout the six-mile journey from his home to Liverpool city centre. The footage showed him undertaking other vehicles and running a red light even before encountering the parade crowds.
False Claims and Changing Pleas
Following his arrest, Doyle falsely told police he had panicked after a man he believed to be armed with a knife tried to open his car door. He claimed he only stopped driving when he realised he had struck pedestrians. However, exhaustive analysis of CCTV footage proved the 'knifeman' was entirely fictitious.
During his court appearance, Doyle appeared inconsolable, gasping repeatedly as the charges were read out. His voice shook as he scarcely managed to utter the word 'guilty' to each count before slumping in his seat in the dock.
Judge Andrew Menary KC, The Honorary Recorder of Liverpool, told Doyle that a custodial sentence of some length was plainly inevitable when he returns for sentencing next month. The former Marine now faces a potential life sentence for his actions during what should have been a joyous celebration of Liverpool's football success.
