Driver Who Ploughed Into LFC Parade Was ‘Consumed by Rage’, Trial Told.
An ex- Royal Marines Commando was a “person consumed by fury” when he mowed down scores of Liverpool football club fans during a championship celebration, an incident many initially feared to be a terrorist attack, a court has heard.
“The footage is deeply disturbing.”
Victims in the incident cried as dashcam footage depicted bodies spinning through the air while he sped towards the gathering 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 offences involving 21 adults and eight children.
‘A Man in a Rage’
Prosecutors warned those in court that the video evidence from Doyle’s large people carrier was “extremely graphic”. It showed the parent yelling “fucking pricks” as well as “fucking move” as he drove towards hundreds of fans, with people frantically dragging children to safety as he blasted the horn.
It was stated in court that Doyle acted as a “man in a rage whose anger had completely taken hold of him” as he continued driving into the mass of people, speeding up as people collided with his car.
Scale of the Carnage
Overall, the ex-marine hurt 134 people within a mere seven-minute span – including more than 50 requiring hospital care. An infant was “miraculously” uninjured despite being left splayed on the road after the vehicle struck his stroller, the court heard.
One fan, Simon Nash, was shown being thrown into the air by the car, suffering a laceration on his head, broken ribs and numerous scrapes.
The defendant was heard screaming “for God’s sake move! Get out of my path!” prior to driving deeper into screaming supporters, including an elderly woman and children who were dragged under the car.
Celebration Descends into Chaos
Addressing a packed courtroom, the prosecution said approximately a million individuals had attended “an event they believed to be a day of joyfulness” to celebrate Liverpool winning their 20th league title. The celebratory atmosphere turned to “terror”, the prosecutor said, as Doyle drove into oncoming fans as he attempted to pick up a friend from the parade route.
“Witnesses believed what was taking place constituted a terrorist incident.”
Brave Intervention Stops Driver
With injured people on the street, Doyle’s rampage was stopped 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.
In his police interview, Doyle stated he reacted in a “state of sheer panic” because he feared for his life. However, prosecutors contended that the video demonstrated Doyle “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 he intended to cause them serious harm.”
Reckless Behavior Before the Attack
Footage indicated Doyle had been driving dangerously before he reached the city centre, overtaking cars dangerously and jumping red lights. He ignored road closures and weaved around other cars, including an ambulance and police cars, as he approached the packed streets.
The defendant is expected to receive a prison sentence of over a decade when he is sentenced on Tuesday.
