Paul Doyle sobs as dashcam performed to courtroom after plouging into crowd ‘in rage’
Liverpool parade crash driver, Paul Doyle was ‘prepared to cause those in the crowd, even children, serious harm if necessary to achieve his aim of getting through,’ the prosecution said
Liverpool parade crash driver Paul Doyle was “in a rage” when he ploughed into football fans, a court has heard. The 54-year-old sobbed as harrowing dashcam footage was played during his sentencing hearing at Liverpool Crown Court.
Prosecutor Paul Greaney KC said Doyle claimed he acted in a “blind panic and in fear of his life” because of how some of the crowd behaved. But Mr Greaney said: “The truth is a simple one – Paul Doyle just lost his temper in his desire to get to where he wanted to get to. In a rage, he drove into the crowd. When he did so, he intended to cause people within the crowd serious harm.
“He was prepared to cause those in the crowd, even children, serious harm if necessary to achieve his aim of getting through. The truth is as simple as the consequences that day were awful.”
Doyle shook his head at times as Mr Greaney was speaking. As footage was played he put his head down and shut his eyes as the footage showed his car hitting crowds of supporters in the city centre for the victory parade.
Victims in court were also in tears as the video was played.
The footage, showing the view from the windscreen of his Ford Galaxy, captured Doyle saying “f****** p*****” as pedestrians pulled their children out of the way of his car to stop them being hit as he drove down Dale Street.
It showed him approach a line of cars waiting to turn right off the road before it becomes Water Street. Doyle then swerved away from the traffic and into the left lane, which was closed as hundreds of fans were making their way back from the celebrations.
He could be heard shouting and screaming “move”, “f****** p*****” and “get out the f****** way” as shocked members of the public tried to jump out of the way of his car.
The footage, which will not be released because of its graphic nature, showed the windscreen smash after a man landed on it. Others could be seen on the bonnet of the car as Doyle continued to drive and people, including children, appeared to go under the vehicle.
Prosecutor Paul Greaney KC said Paul Doyle “did what he did intentionally”.
He said Doyle was 53 at the time and an experienced driver of 25 years.
He had been the registered keeper of his Ford Galaxy Titanium since March 2023 and “was entirely familiar with its controls”, Mr Greaney said.
He told Liverpool Crown Court there were no defects with the vehicle and nothing to prevent Doyle stopping if he had wanted to.
Mr Greaney said: “Where this leaves us is that nothing which occurred can be explained to any extent on the basis of immaturity of age, inexperience in driving generally, unfamiliarity with the vehicle or any defect with the Galaxy.
“Furthermore, the footage demonstrates that the defendant was conscious throughout, so a medical explanation can be discounted.
“The upshot of all of this is, as the defendant has now accepted, that he did what he did intentionally.”
Paul Greaney KC said Paul Doyle left his home to collect his friend, Dave Clark, from the city centre at 5.29pm and drove “aggressively”.
The prosecutor told Liverpool Crown Court: “How he drove the Galaxy at that stage was dangerous.”
“He routinely engaged in the undertaking of other vehicles and ran a red light.”
The court was shown dashcam footage of the journey, including Doyle’s dangerous movements.
Doyle has admitted 31 offences relating to the crash including dangerous driving, affray, 17 charges of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent, nine counts of causing GBH with intent, and three counts of wounding with intent at Liverpool Crown Court.
The hearing continues.
For live updates on Paul Doyle’s sentencing hearing, read our live blog.
