Driver That Drove Through LFC Victory Parade Was ‘Consumed by Rage’, Trial Told.
A former Royal Marine was a “man in a rage” when he drove into dozens of Liverpool football club supporters during a victory parade, in what many feared was a act of terrorism, a court has heard.
“The video is truly shocking.”
Victims in the incident cried as video from the car’s camera showed bodies spinning through the air while he sped towards the gathering and shouted: “Fucking hell, move!”
The 54-year-old defendant is due to be sentenced on Tuesday after pleading guilty at the start of his trial last month to 31 criminal charges against 29 victims, including eight minors.
‘Consumed by Anger’
The prosecution warned the court that the footage from Doyle’s two-tonne Ford Galaxy was “truly shocking”. The recording revealed the father of three yelling “expletives” and “move out of the way” while he headed straight for hundreds of fans, with people frantically dragging children to safety as his car horn blared.
It was stated in court that Doyle was a “individual whose anger whose anger had completely taken hold of him” as he continued driving into the mass of people, accelerating while individuals were struck by his vehicle.
Scale of the Carnage
In total, the former Royal Marine injured 134 people within a mere seven-minute span – with over fifty requiring hospital care. A six-month-old boy was “remarkably” unharmed even though he was left on the roadway after the vehicle struck his stroller, according to testimony.
One fan, a man named in court, was seen being launched into the air by the vehicle, suffering a cut on his head, rib fractures and multiple abrasions.
Doyle could be heard shouting “for God’s sake move! Get out my fucking way!” prior to driving deeper into panicked fans, including an elderly woman and children who were dragged under the car.
Celebration Descends into Chaos
Speaking to a full court, lawyers said about 1 million people were present at “what they thought would be a joyous occasion” marking Liverpool winning their 20th league title. Scenes of jubilation swiftly became “terror”, it was said, as Doyle drove into oncoming fans as he attempted to pick up a friend who had been at the parade.
“Witnesses believed the events unfolding constituted a terrorist incident.”
Rampage Halted by Heroic Act
With injured people on the street, Doyle’s rampage was brought to a halt by a former soldier, Dan Barr, who climbed into a rear passenger seat and forced the gearstick into park. Even then, Doyle kept his foot on the accelerator, the court heard.
In his police interview, Doyle claimed he acted in a “state of sheer panic” due to a fear for his safety. However, the prosecution argued that the video showed Doyle “simply lost control in his determination to reach his destination”. It was further stated: “In a rage, he targeted the crowd and as he did so his intent was to cause serious injury.”
Reckless Behavior Before the Attack
Footage indicated Doyle had been driving dangerously prior to entering downtown, undertaking cars at speed and running red lights. He disregarded road closures and bypassed other vehicles, even emergency service vehicles, as he entered the crowds.
Doyle is understood to be facing a jail term of more than 10 years at his sentencing hearing.
