A former Royal Marine who deliberately drove into crowds celebrating a Liverpool FC victory parade is set to be sent to a secure hospital instead of a prison, after being diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Courtroom Confession and Carnage Details
Paul Doyle, a 54-year-old father-of-three, broke down in sobs at Liverpool Crown Court as he pleaded guilty to a total of 26 serious offences related to the incident on May 26. The court heard how his actions resulted in injuries to 17 people.
Doyle admitted to 17 counts of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent. The victims in these charges included 12 adults and five children. Among the most shocking cases was that of six-month-old Teddy Eveson, whose parents described him being thrown approximately 15 feet down the road in his pram upon impact.
In a separate admission, Doyle also pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent to nine adults. A full list of the adult victims acknowledged in court includes:
- Jack Trotter
- Jon Evans
- Scott Dolan
- Ashton Gilmore
- Jacqueline McClaren
- Jamie Fagan
- Carl Martin
- James Vernon
- Emily Wright
- David Price
- James Weston
- Ethan Gillard
- Helen Gilmore
- Anna Bilonozhenko
- Sheree Aldridge
- Sam Alexander
- Hannah O'Neill
- Christine Seeckts
- Stefan Dettlaf
- Aaron Cothliff
- Susan Passey
The Path to a Secure Hospital
Initially, Judge Andrew Menary told Doyle he was facing an 'inevitable custodial sentence of some length' upon his return for sentencing next month. However, a significant development has altered the expected outcome.
While on remand at Wakefield Prison, Doyle was assessed by psychologists who diagnosed him with PTSD. A source revealed that this diagnosis means he is 'pretty likely to be moved to a secure hospital unit once he's sentenced.'
The source added that in a secure hospital, Doyle would be treated as a patient rather than an inmate, receiving more therapy and help to rebuild his life in conditions considered more comfortable than a standard prison.
Context of the Attack
It is understood that Doyle was sober and not under the influence of drugs at the time of the incident. Furthermore, tests conducted on his Ford Galaxy vehicle found no mechanical defects that could have explained or excused the carnage that unfolded.
Doyle had previously denied all offences before changing his plea to guilty. The Ministry of Justice has been approached for comment on the case, which has drawn significant public attention due to the nature of the attack on a community celebration.
