Driver That Ploughed Into Liverpool FC Parade Was ‘Consumed by Rage’, Court Told.
An ex- Royal Marines Commando was a “person consumed by fury” when he mowed down scores of Liverpool football club supporters during a championship celebration, an incident many initially feared to be a terrorist attack, according to court proceedings.
“The footage is truly shocking.”
Those injured in the incident cried while dashcam footage showed bodies spinning through the air as he accelerated into crowds and shouted: “Fucking hell, move!”
Doyle, 54, will learn his fate on Tuesday following his guilty plea at the start of his trial last month to 31 criminal charges against 21 adults and eight children.
‘Consumed by Anger’
The prosecution warned those in court that the footage from the defendant’s large people carrier was “extremely graphic”. The recording revealed the father of three yelling “fucking pricks” and “fucking move” as he drove towards a large crowd of supporters, with people frantically dragging children to safety as he blasted the horn.
The court was told that Doyle was a “individual whose anger had completely overpowered him” as he continued driving into the mass of people, speeding up as people collided with his car.
Scale of the Carnage
In total, the ex-marine hurt 134 people in just seven minutes – with over fifty requiring hospital care. A six-month-old boy was “miraculously” unharmed despite being left splayed on the road after the vehicle struck his stroller, the court heard.
One fan, Simon Nash, was seen being launched into the air by the vehicle, suffering a laceration on his head, broken ribs and numerous scrapes.
The defendant could be heard shouting “fuck’s sake move! Get out my fucking way!” prior to driving deeper into screaming supporters, 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” marking the football club’s championship win. Scenes of jubilation turned to “horror”, the prosecutor said, as Doyle drove into oncoming fans while trying to collect a companion from the parade route.
“Witnesses believed the events unfolding constituted a terrorist incident.”
Brave Intervention Stops Driver
As bodies lay on the ground, the vehicle’s path was brought to a halt by a former soldier, a man identified in court, who entered the back of the car and held the car’s gear selector in “park”. Despite this, Doyle continued pressing the gas pedal, the court heard.
During questioning, Doyle claimed he reacted in a “blind panic” because he feared for his life. Yet, the prosecution argued that the video showed the defendant “simply lost control in his determination to reach his destination”. It was further stated: “Consumed by anger, he drove into the crowd and in doing so his intent was to cause serious injury.”
Dangerous Driving Prior to Incident
Footage showed the driver was driving recklessly before he reached the city centre, overtaking cars dangerously and running red lights. He disregarded traffic diversion measures and bypassed other cars, including an ambulance and police cars, as he entered the crowds.
Doyle is expected to receive a prison sentence of over a decade at his sentencing hearing.