Man Who Ploughed Through Liverpool FC Victory Parade Described as ‘Consumed by Rage’, Trial Told.

An ex- Royal Marine acted as a “man in a rage” as he mowed down dozens of Liverpool football club supporters at a victory parade, in what many feared was a terrorist attack, a court has heard.

“The video was deeply disturbing.”

Those injured in the incident wept while dashcam footage depicted people being thrown into the air while he sped towards the gathering while screaming: “Get out of the way!”

Doyle, 54, is due to be sentenced on Tuesday after pleading guilty at the start of his trial last month to 31 offences involving 29 victims, including eight minors.

‘Consumed by Anger’

Prosecutors warned the court that the footage from Doyle’s two-tonne Ford Galaxy proved to be “extremely graphic”. The recording revealed the parent yelling “expletives” as well as “fucking move” while he headed straight for hundreds of fans, some pulling children out of the way as his car horn blared.

The court was told that Doyle acted as a “individual whose anger had completely overpowered him” as he ploughed further into the crowd, accelerating while individuals were struck by his vehicle.

Extent of the Injuries

Overall, the ex-marine injured 134 individuals within a mere seven-minute span – including more than 50 requiring hospital care. An infant was “miraculously” unharmed despite being left splayed on the road when Doyle’s car hit his pram, according to testimony.

One fan, Simon Nash, was shown being thrown into the air by the car, sustaining a cut on his head, rib fractures and multiple abrasions.

Doyle was heard screaming “fuck’s sake move! Get out of my path!” before ploughing further into panicked fans, including an elderly woman and children who became trapped beneath the vehicle.

Scene of Jubilation Turns to Horror

Addressing a packed courtroom, lawyers said approximately a million individuals had attended “an event they believed to be a joyous occasion” marking Liverpool winning their 20th league title. Scenes of jubilation swiftly became “terror”, the prosecutor said, when the driver entered the crowd as he attempted to pick up a friend from the parade route.

“Witnesses believed the events unfolding was a terrorist attack.”

Brave Intervention Stops Driver

With injured people on the street, the vehicle’s path was brought to a halt by an ex-army member, a man identified in court, who climbed into a rear passenger seat and held the car’s gear selector in “park”. Despite this, Doyle kept his foot on the accelerator, according to evidence.

In his police interview, the defendant claimed he reacted in a “blind panic” due to a fear for his safety. Yet, prosecutors contended that the video demonstrated Doyle “simply lost control in his determination to reach his destination”. It was further stated: “Consumed by anger, he drove into the crowd and as he did so his intent was to cause serious injury.”

Dangerous Driving Prior to Incident

The video showed Doyle had been driving dangerously prior to entering downtown, undertaking cars at speed and jumping red lights. He disregarded road closures and weaved around other cars, even emergency service vehicles, as he entered the crowds.

The defendant is expected to receive a prison sentence of over a decade when he is sentenced on Tuesday.

Andrew Moore
Andrew Moore

A financial journalist with over a decade of experience covering global markets and economic policy.