Man That Ploughed Into LFC 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 championship celebration, an incident many initially feared to be a terrorist attack, a court has heard.
“The footage was profoundly upsetting.”
Victims in the incident wept while dashcam footage depicted bodies spinning through the air as he accelerated into crowds while screaming: “Fucking hell, move!”
Doyle, 54, is due to be sentenced on Tuesday following his guilty plea on the first day of his trial last month to 31 criminal charges involving 29 victims, including eight minors.
‘A Man in a Rage’
Prosecutors warned the court that the video evidence from Doyle’s two-tonne Ford Galaxy was “extremely graphic”. It showed the father of three yelling “expletives” and “move out of the way” as he drove towards hundreds of fans, some pulling children out of the way as he blasted the horn.
The court was told that Doyle acted as a “man in a rage whose anger had completely taken hold of him” as he ploughed further into the crowd, accelerating while individuals were struck by his vehicle.
Scale of the Carnage
In total, the ex-marine hurt 134 people in just seven minutes – with over fifty who needed hospital treatment. A six-month-old boy was “miraculously” unharmed even though he was left on the roadway after the vehicle struck his stroller, according to testimony.
A supporter, Simon Nash, was seen being launched into the air by the car, sustaining a cut to the back of his head, rib fractures and multiple abrasions.
The defendant could be heard shouting “fuck’s sake move! Get out my fucking way!” prior to driving deeper 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 “an event they believed to be a joyous occasion” to celebrate the football club’s championship win. The celebratory atmosphere turned to “horror”, the prosecutor said, when the driver entered the crowd while trying to collect a companion who had been at the parade.
“Witnesses thought that what was taking place was a terrorist attack.”
Rampage Halted by Heroic Act
With injured people on the street, the vehicle’s path was stopped by a former soldier, Dan Barr, who climbed into a rear passenger seat and held the car’s gear selector in “park”. Despite this, Doyle continued pressing the gas pedal, according to evidence.
During questioning, Doyle claimed he acted in a “blind panic” because he feared for his life. Yet, the prosecution argued that the video showed Doyle “just lost his temper in his desire to get to where he wanted to get to”. The prosecutor added: “In a rage, he drove into the crowd and as he did so he intended to cause them serious harm.”
Reckless Behavior Before the Attack
The video showed Doyle was driving recklessly prior to entering downtown, overtaking cars dangerously and jumping red lights. He disregarded road closures and weaved around other vehicles, including an ambulance and police cars, as he approached the packed streets.
The defendant is expected to receive a jail term of more than 10 years at his sentencing hearing.
