Man That Drove Through LFC Parade Was ‘In a Rage’, Court Hears.
A former Royal Marine acted as a “person consumed by fury” as he drove into scores of LFC fans at a victory parade, an incident many initially feared to be a terrorist attack, according to court proceedings.
“The video is deeply disturbing.”
Victims in the incident cried as dashcam footage showed bodies spinning through the air while he sped towards the gathering and shouted: “Get out of the way!”
Doyle, 54, will learn his fate on Tuesday after pleading guilty at the start of his trial last month to 31 criminal charges against 21 adults and eight children.
‘A Man in a Rage’
The prosecution warned the court that the video evidence from the defendant’s large people carrier was “truly shocking”. It showed the father of three yelling “expletives” and “fucking move” as he drove towards a large crowd of supporters, some pulling children out of the way as he blasted the horn.
The court was told that Doyle acted as a “individual whose anger had completely overpowered him” as he ploughed further into the crowd, speeding up as people collided with his car.
Extent of the Injuries
In total, the ex-marine hurt 134 people within a mere seven-minute span – with over fifty requiring hospital care. A six-month-old boy was “remarkably” uninjured despite being left splayed on the road after the vehicle struck his stroller, according to testimony.
One fan, Simon Nash, was seen being launched into the air by the vehicle, sustaining a cut on his head, rib fractures and multiple abrasions.
The defendant could be heard shouting “fuck’s sake move! Get out of my path!” before ploughing further into panicked fans, among them an older woman and young children who were dragged under the car.
Celebration Descends into Chaos
Speaking to a full court, lawyers said approximately a million individuals had attended “what they thought would be a joyous occasion” to celebrate Liverpool winning their 20th league title. Scenes of jubilation swiftly became “terror”, the prosecutor said, when the driver entered the crowd as he attempted to pick up a friend who had been at the parade.
“Witnesses thought that what was taking place constituted a terrorist incident.”
Rampage Halted by Heroic Act
As bodies lay on the ground, the vehicle’s path was stopped by an ex-army member, a man identified in court, who entered the back of the car and forced the gearstick into park. Even then, Doyle continued pressing the gas pedal, the court heard.
During questioning, the defendant claimed he acted in a “blind panic” because he feared for his life. Yet, the prosecution argued that the video demonstrated the defendant “just lost his temper in his desire to get to where he wanted to get to”. It was further stated: “Consumed by anger, he drove into the crowd and in doing so his intent was to cause serious injury.”
Reckless Behavior Before the Attack
The video showed Doyle was driving recklessly before he reached the city centre, undertaking cars at speed and jumping red lights. He ignored road closures and bypassed other cars, including an ambulance and police cars, as he approached the packed streets.
The defendant is understood to be facing a jail term of over a decade when he is sentenced on Tuesday.
