A man sentenced for a horrific vehicle attack during Liverpool FC's title victory parade has a disturbing history of violence, a court has heard, including a gruesome incident where he bit off a sailor's ear in a pub brawl.
A Violent Past Revealed in Court
Details of the 1993 ear-biting assault were revealed at Liverpool Crown Court as Paul Doyle, 54, faced sentencing for his actions on 26th May 2025. The prosecution outlined how Doyle's criminal record is "interwoven with his military service", but stressed there was no link between his service and his crimes.
Prosecutor Paul Greaney KC told the court that on 2nd July 1993, Doyle was involved in a fight where he bit off the ear of another man. Doyle later told police he had "become involved in a drunken fight with sailors". For this, he was convicted of causing grievous bodily harm and given a 12-month prison sentence at Preston Crown Court.
Military Career Cut Short
Doyle's time in the armed forces was marked by disciplinary issues. He enlisted in the Royal Marines on 11th March 1991 at age 19, after a brief stint in the Royal Engineers. He signed up for 22 years but never saw active service.
His service was terminated early. He was discharged from the Royal Marines on 20th January 1993, just 22 months after enlisting. The discharge was on the grounds of "Services No Longer Required" (SNLR). Doyle challenged the decision but was unsuccessful.
The court heard a series of offences led to his dismissal:
- In December 1989, while in the Royal Engineers, he received seven days' detention for an offence equating to common assault.
- In October 1991, after joining the Marines, he was involved in a nightclub fight, striking a man in the face. He was later fined for GBH.
- In February 1992, he was convicted of using violence against a superior officer and for conduct prejudicial to military discipline.
These convictions resulted in a formal warning for SNLR discharge in March 1992, which was confirmed after his later conviction for the nightclub fight.
Three Decades of Reform Before Parade Horror
Mr Greaney noted that after his release from prison in May 1995, Doyle appeared to turn his life around for nearly 30 years. He went to university, held responsible jobs, and started a family, with no further convictions until a minor offence in December 2023.
The prosecutor stated this period of rehabilitation "only serves to make more shocking, and tragic what he did in Liverpool that day this May."
Doyle was being sentenced for multiple charges relating to the parade incident, including:
- Dangerous driving
- Affray
- 17 charges of attempting to cause GBH with intent
- 9 counts of causing GBH with intent
- 3 counts of wounding with intent
The charges involve 29 victims aged between six months and 77 years. Doyle, who had initially denied the charges, changed his plea, delivering a tearful statement to the court.
