Former marine Paul Doyle pleads responsible to mowing down crowds in Liverpool victory parade crash that injured greater than 130 folks
A former marine who injured 134 people by driving his car into crowds at Liverpool’s victory parade has pleaded guilty to all charges on the first day of his trial.
Paul Doyle, 54, appeared in the dock at Liverpool Crown Court where he was charged with 31 offences related to the incident on May 26.
He previously denied all offences but sobbed as he pleaded guilty to all 31 counts he faced.
He admitted 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.
Doyle, of Croxteth, Liverpool, appeared inconsolable and gasped repeatedly as the counts he faced were read out by the court clerk one by one.
As the charges continued to be put to him, Doyle’s voice shook and he could scarcely utter the word ‘guilty’. Afterwards, he sat slumped in his seat in the dock.
A two-day sentencing hearing is set to be begin on December 15.
Paul Doyle, of Croxteth, Liverpool, admitted all 31 charges
An artist’s sketch of Paul Doyle after he appeared in court yesterday
Emergency services at the scene of the incident on Water Street. More than 130 people were injured, police later said
‘Things have moved quickly this morning,’ Paul Greaney, KC, prosecuting, said.
Mr Greaney told Judge Menary that sentencing would need to take into account the impact on victims as well as businesses in the city.
Addressing the court, Simon Csoka KC, defending, said character evidence would be presented at the sentencing hearing.
Judge Menary told Doyle that he was free to return to the cells as he was remanded back into custody. He said a ‘custodial sentence of some length’ was plainly inevitable’.
Addressing the jury, Judge Menary explained they were no longer required and thanked them for their patience, before adding that juries were ‘the best system in the world’ for hearing such cases.
Statements from the victims would be presented by the prosecution at Doyle’s sentencing, a date for which has yet to be fixed.
More than 130 people reported injuries after a Ford Galaxy collided with crowds on Water Street just after 6pm on May 26.
The charges related to 29 victims, aged between six months and 77 years old.
Doyle was told he faces jail after driving his car into crowds at the Liverpool victory parade
Sarah Hammond, Chief Crown Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service in Mersey-Cheshire, said: ‘Today’s convictions bring a measure of justice for an act that caused unimaginable harm during what should have been a day of celebration for the city of Liverpool.
‘Paul Doyle has been held responsible for his deliberate actions that endangered lives and brought chaos upon a community.
‘A total of 134 people were injured, including children as young as six months. This attack did not just harm individuals — it struck at the heart of a city united in joy, leaving fear in its wake.
‘By entering guilty pleas, Doyle has finally accepted that he intentionally drove into crowds of innocent people during Liverpool FC’s victory parade.’
Detective Chief Inspector John Fitzgerald added: ‘What should have been a day of celebration for the city turned into a distressing and frightening experience which we know continues to have a physical and psychological impact on many people.
‘We know that a lot of people are still recovering from the injuries they suffered on that day and our thoughts remain with them and those that continue to be affected.
‘Doyle has today pleaded guilty to all offences. We hope that the knowledge Doyle is now facing a considerable prison sentence will be able to help those affected to move on with their lives.’
