Senior police officers have described dashcam footage from a terrorist vehicle attack in Liverpool as the most distressing they have ever witnessed. The video, played in court, captured the full horror of Paul Doyle's seven-minute rampage through crowds celebrating a football victory parade.
'Truly Shocking' Courtroom Footage
On Monday, December 15, 2025, Liverpool Crown Court was shown footage deemed too graphic for public release. Prosecutor Paul Greaney KC warned those present that what they were about to see was "truly shocking". The video showed Doyle, 54, deliberately driving his Ford Galaxy into groups of fans on May 26.
Sentencing judge, Judge Andrew Menary KC, struggled to convey the scene. "The footage is truly shocking. It is difficult, if not impossible, to convey in words alone the scene of devastation you caused," he told Doyle. "It shows you, quite deliberately, accelerating into groups of fans time and time again."
The judge detailed how Doyle struck people head-on, drove over limbs, crushed prams, and forced people to scatter in terror. He noted the defendant accelerated forwards and backwards repeatedly, with several victims becoming trapped beneath the vehicle.
Investigator's Harrowing Review
Detective Chief Inspector John Fitzgerald, the senior investigating officer, gave a stark assessment. "In my 20 years of police service this is the most distressing and graphic footage that I have come across," he stated. "It was really difficult to watch for me and the whole of the investigation team, but it was really important that we did because we had to tell the story of each individual victim."
The attack, which occurred at approximately 6pm, saw Doyle mount the pavement and hurtle through crowds for around 50 metres. The incident resulted in injuries to 134 people, including children.
Chilling Audio and a Changed Plea
Merseyside Police released separate CCTV footage with audio capturing Doyle's outbursts. He can be heard repeatedly honking his horn while shouting expletives such as "move" and "move out the f****** way". In one devastating moment, he shouted "f****** hell, move" as he struck a 10-year-old girl, who was later described as extremely fortunate to suffer only minor physical injuries.
Doyle, a former Royal Marine, dramatically changed his plea to guilty on the second day of his trial. As the footage played in court, he cried, put his head down, and closed his eyes. Victims present in the courtroom were also in tears.
Judge Menary concluded that "for no reason other than impatience and arrogance", Doyle's driving was routinely dangerous. He stated the truth, captured on multiple cameras, was that Doyle "lost your temper" and tried to force his way through the crowds, "regardless of the consequences." The judge added that by admitting guilt, Doyle admitted he intended to cause serious harm, even to children.
Paul Doyle was sentenced to 21 years and six months behind bars for his actions, which the court heard were carried out in a state of rage.
