Paul Doyle has been jailed for ploughing through crowds celebrating Liverpool’s Premier League title win after pleading guilty to 31 offences including causing GBH with intent
Paul Doyle sentenced to 21 years and six months in jail
A dad who used his car as a “weapon” to mow down over 100 people celebrating Liverpool’s Premier League title victory has been jailed for 21 years and six months.
Paul Doyle, 54 described by prosecutors as a “family man”, was visibly distressed as footage of the horrific incident was repeatedly shown in Liverpool Crown Court during the first day of a two-day sentencing hearing. But the court heard that Doyle was “consumed by rage” and that his “anger had completely taken hold of him” during the horrifying incident.
Doyle admitted to 31 offences related to seriously injuring people during the victory parade in May, including dangerous driving, affray, and multiple counts of attempted grievous bodily harm and wounding with intent.
On Monday, prosecutors revealed that Doyle’s Ford Galaxy, weighing nearly two tonnes, collided with “well over 100 people” within a two-minute span, and that he was “prepared to cause serious harm, even to children, if necessary to achieve his aim of getting through”.
The court also heard victim impact statements, which spoke of “flashbacks” and “emotional and psychological injury”, as some victims recounted their traumatic experiences.
Doyle was seen weeping in court as the testimonies of his victims, including children as young as 12, were read out, recounting how what was supposed to be the “best day ever” quickly turned into a nightmare.
The court was shown chilling dashcam footage of the incident, with Doyle heard yelling “move”, “f****** p*****” and “get out the f****** way”. Terrified pedestrians were seen pulling their children out of the path of Doyle’s car, with the video capturing the moment the windscreen shattered after a man was thrown onto it.
After his reckless spree, Doyle confessed to police officers: “I’ve just ruined my family’s life.”
Prosecutor Paul Greaney KC referred to the events that unfolded between 5.59pm and 6.01pm on May 26, stating: “The prosecution case is that the defendant had used the vehicle as a weapon over that period of time.”
He added: “In doing so, he not only caused injury on a large scale, but he also generated horror in those who had attended what they had thought would be a day of joyfulness.”
Mr Greaney explained that Doyle was in the city to pick up a friend and his family from the festivities when he “lost his temper.” He continued: “In a rage, he drove into the crowd, and 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.”
Doyle was arrested at the scene on Water Street shortly after 6pm and was formally charged later that week.
The youngest casualty was six-month-old Teddy Eveson, who was reportedly flung about 15 feet down the road in his pram during the collision, according to his parents’ later statements to the press.
Doyle, hailing from Croxteth, Liverpool, admitted attempting to inflict grievous bodily harm on the infant.
Five other children, whom Doyle either harmed or tried to harm, cannot be identified due to legal restrictions.
Simon Csoka KC, representing Paul Doyle, said: “We make it clear that the defendant is horrified by what occurred. Horrified by the consequences of what occurred.
“He’s remorseful, ashamed and deeply sorry for all those who were hurt. He accepts full responsibility. He expects no sympathy. Nevertheless, it is important we emphasise and stated his remorse.”
Sentencing judge Andrew Menary KC told the defendant he acted in an “inexplicable and undiluted fury” when he ploughed into crowds.
He told Doyle: “It is almost impossible to comprehend how any right-thinking person could act as you did. To drive a vehicle into crowds of pedestrians with such persistence and disregard for human life defies ordinary understanding.”
The judge added: “Your actions caused horror and devastation on a scale not previously encountered by this court.”
Doyle had travelled to the city centre from his home in Croxteth, Liverpool, to collect friends who had been at the parade.
During his drive into the city he undertook other vehicles and ran a red light.
Doyle, who has previous convictions for violence in the 1990s, including biting a sailor’s ear off, continued to try to accelerate but the car, which had people trapped underneath it by this point, was unable to move further.
When interviewed, he said he had seen someone with a knife and drove in panic for fear he would be attacked, but police found no evidence from CCTV or witnesses that anyone in the area had a knife.
No defects were found with the car and Doyle was not under the influence of drink or drugs.
James Allison, from the Crown Prosecution Service Mersey-Cheshire, said: “Why did he do it? I think the simple answer is he lost his temper. He went into a rage.
“He just wanted to get down that road, and in trying to get down that road those next couple of minutes probably devastated a lot of people’s lives.”
Detective Chief Inspector John Fitzgerald said: “Doyle’s total disregard for the safety of others—particularly the many young children present on Dale Street and Water Street that day—is beyond comprehension.
“It is sheer luck that no lives were lost.”
For updates on the sentencing hearing, read our live blog.