Driver That Drove Through LFC Parade Described as ‘Consumed by Rage’, Court Told.
A former 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 act of terrorism, a court has heard.
“The footage was deeply disturbing.”
Those injured in the incident wept while dashcam footage depicted bodies spinning through the air as he accelerated into crowds and shouted: “Fucking hell, move!”
The 54-year-old defendant 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 21 adults and eight children.
‘Consumed by Anger’
Prosecutors warned those in court that the footage from Doyle’s large people carrier proved to be “truly shocking”. It showed the parent yelling “expletives” and “fucking move” as he drove towards a large crowd of supporters, some pulling children out of the way 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 ploughed further into the crowd, accelerating while individuals were struck by his vehicle.
Extent of the Injuries
In total, the ex-marine injured 134 people in just seven minutes – with over fifty who needed hospital treatment. A six-month-old boy was “miraculously” uninjured despite being left splayed on the road after the vehicle struck his stroller, the court heard.
A supporter, a man named in court, was shown being thrown into the air by the car, suffering a cut on his head, rib fractures and multiple abrasions.
The defendant could be heard shouting “for God’s sake move! Get out of my path!” before ploughing further into screaming supporters, including an elderly woman and children who became trapped beneath the vehicle.
Celebration Descends into Chaos
Addressing a packed courtroom, lawyers said approximately a million individuals were present at “an event they believed to be a day of joyfulness” marking Liverpool winning their 20th league title. Scenes of jubilation turned to “terror”, it was said, when the driver entered the crowd while trying to collect a companion from the parade route.
“Some at the scene believed the events unfolding constituted a terrorist incident.”
Rampage Halted by Heroic Act
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 climbed into a rear passenger seat and forced the gearstick into park. Even then, Doyle kept his foot on the accelerator, the court heard.
During questioning, Doyle claimed he reacted in a “state of sheer panic” due to a fear for his safety. However, prosecutors contended that the video showed Doyle “just lost his temper in his determination to reach his destination”. The prosecutor added: “In a rage, he targeted the crowd and as he did so his intent was to cause serious injury.”
Reckless Behavior Before the Attack
The video showed the driver had been driving dangerously prior to entering downtown, undertaking cars at speed and running red lights. He ignored traffic diversion measures and weaved around other cars, including an ambulance and police cars, as he approached the packed streets.
Doyle is understood to be facing a jail term of over a decade when he is sentenced on Tuesday.
