A man who drove his car into more than 100 Liverpool fans at the Premier League victory parade was “angry over his desire to go where he wanted to go” and “intended to cause serious harm to people in the crowd”, his sentencing hearing was told.
Prosecutor Paul Greaney KC told Liverpool Crown Court that Paul Doyle, who admitted 31 offenses related to the crash last month, was driving his gray Ford Galaxy Titanium from his home in Croxteth into central Liverpool to pick up friends attending the parade on May 26. His vehicle weighed nearly two tons.
Mr Greaney said the road was very busy with pedestrians on what should have been a pleasant day.
He said: “At 5.54pm the defendant drove the Galaxy onto Dale Street and began traveling in the direction of Water Street.
“From an early stage, Paul Doyle drove dangerously along that road, alarming people. Then, at 5.59pm, he encountered traffic enforcement measures filtering cars to the right.
“He (a) stopped but soon ignored the action and took off on the left side of Dale Street towards Water Street.”
Dashcam footage was shown in court showing the shocking moment Doyle made his way through the crowd.
The footage, filmed inside a Ford Galaxy, captured audio and video of the 54-year-old turning towards hundreds of fans returning from the city’s waterfront after the celebrations.
When the video was released, Doyle closed his eyes, lowered his head and cried.
More than 30 victims were in court for the hearing, with others in other rooms of the building. The victims in court shed tears.
Doyle could be heard saying “f***ing bastards” as pedestrians pulled children out of cars to prevent them from being hit by cars on Dale Street, which was once busy with traffic but busy with supporters.
The view through his windshield showed him approaching a line of cars waiting to turn right on the road before Water Street.
Doyle then entered the left lane to avoid traffic. The lane was closed as hundreds of fans returned from celebrations. He could be heard yelling and screaming, “Move”, “You bastards” and “Get away from me” as shocked members of the public tried to jump out of his car.
The footage, which will not be released due to its graphic nature, shows a man landing on his windshield, causing it to shatter.
Other people can be seen under the hood as Doyle continues driving and people, including children, get under the vehicle.
Doyle, 54, cried as he appeared in the dock for the sentencing hearing.
He was wearing a white shirt, black suit and gray tie, holding a tissue in his hand and occasionally holding it to his face.
Doyle’s actions “sparked fear in people attending what they thought would be a fun day”, Mr Greaney said.
He said: “At about 6.01pm, less than two minutes later, the Galaxy were stopped in Water Street and fans attempted to drag Paul Doyle out of there.” He quickly received police protection and was subsequently arrested and detained with only minor injuries.
“In the space of a short period of time between 5.59pm and 6.01pm, the defendant drove his vehicle into a crash involving over 100 people, leaving many with serious injuries and trapping people, including children, when the vehicle came to a halt.
“The prosecution case is that the defendant used the vehicle as a weapon during that period.
“In doing so, he not only caused mass injury but also caused fear among those attending what they thought would be a fun day.
“The truth is simple: Paul Doyle was angry because of his desire to go where he wanted to go. In his anger, he drove his car into the crowd. When he did so, he intended to cause serious harm to the people in the crowd.”
More to follow…
