Paul Doyle, a 54-year-old former Royal Marine, is set to be sentenced on Tuesday for driving into crowds of Liverpool football fans celebrating the team’s Premier League victory, leaving more than 50 people hospitalized. Doyle pleaded guilty to 31 offenses, including dangerous driving and multiple counts of causing or attempting to cause grievous bodily harm, after initially pleading not guilty on the first day of his trial in November.
During the sentencing hearing, prosecutors described Doyle as a man who “lost his temper” and deliberately drove into the crowd on May 26, targeting elderly people and children as young as six months. Dashcam and bodycam footage played in court showed bodies being struck, spun through the air, and trapped beneath Doyle’s Ford Galaxy Titanium as he accelerated, reversed, and drove repeatedly into the crowd. Victims described suffering emotional and psychological trauma, including flashbacks, with some requiring hospitalization for serious injuries.
Prosecutors emphasized that Doyle’s actions were intentional, citing his claim that he used the vehicle “as a weapon” and regarded himself as more important than the fans on Dale Street. Despite efforts by bystanders, including a former soldier who attempted to stop the car by engaging the gear selector, Doyle continued driving, causing further harm. Victim statements highlighted the fear and panic experienced, including the near-miss of a six-month-old boy whose pushchair was struck. Doyle broke down in court, holding his head in his hands as the horrifying details of the rampage were recounted.