A dad accused of driving into a crowd at Liverpool’s Premier League victory parade was absent from court today (November 18) ahead of his trial after pleading not guilty to 31 charges. Paul Doyle, 53, was originally charged with seven offences in connection with the crash, which happened on Water Street in the city centre as thousands of fans were gathered for the Reds’ title celebrations just after 6pm on May 26.
He is accused of the unlawful wounding with intent of Simon Nash, 52, causing grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent to Susan Passey, 77, and Christine Seeckts, 66, and the attempted GBH of Ethan Gillard, 18.
Doyle was also charged with another count of wounding with intent and a second count of attempted GBH, which both relate to children, for whom reporting restrictions remain in place. He is also charged with dangerous driving.
More than 100 pedestrians, ranging from children to a 78-year-old woman, were injured during the incident.
Earlier this year, he pleaded not guilty at Liverpool Crown Court. He entered not guilty pleas to dangerous driving, affray, 18 charges of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent, nine counts of causing GBH with intent and two counts of wounding with intent.
The allegations relate to 29 victims, aged between six months and 77 years.
The youngest alleged victim is Teddy Eveson.
Seven other children, who Doyle is alleged to have either injured or attempted to injure, cannot be named for legal reasons.
Merseyside Police previously said 134 people were injured when Doyle allegedly drove his Ford Galaxy Titanium into crowds on Water Street in the city centre just after 6pm on May 26.
The incident happened just moments after Arne Slot’s team had paraded the Premier League trophy on an open-top bus.
(Image: Phil Bryan/Shutterstock)
The car allegedly tailgated an ambulance – as it went to treat a fan suffering a heart attack – through a roadblock and struck supporters leaving many injured.
Doyle was originally charged with seven offences but 24 new counts were added to the indictment at a hearing last month.
Doyle’s case was listed before Liverpool Crown Court this afternoon, Tuesday, for a mention hearing.
He was not required to attend courtroom 41 and was not present, either in person or via video link, as procedural and legal matters were discussed with counsel.
A trial, expected to last three to four weeks, is due to start on November 25.
Married dad-of-three and businessman Doyle, from the West Derby area of the city, remains in custody.
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