Liverpool Football Club has released a statement after Paul Doyle pleaded guilty to all 31 charges against him. Doyle drove his car into a crowd of Liverpool supporters who had gathered in the streets on 26 May to celebrate the club’s Premier League victory. The 54-year-old has now admitted to dangerous driving, assault, 17 counts of attempted grievous bodily harm (GBH), nine counts of causing GBH with intent and three counts of causing bodily harm with intent.
He changed his plea Wednesday, denying the crimes against 29 victims ranging in age from six months to 77 years old. “Last May’s victory parade allowed an unprecedented number of Liverpool fans to celebrate winning the Premier League title together, something that was not possible in 2020,” Liverpool said in a statement.
“A day of incredible joy ended in unimaginable circumstances. We hope today’s verdict brings peace to all those affected by this terrible incident. Our thoughts are with them all.”
“We would like to thank our emergency services and partners, including Merseyside Police, North West and St John Ambulance Service, Merseyside Fire and Rescue, and the public, who responded with great courage and compassion on the day. Their actions undoubtedly saved lives and epitomized the spirit of our city.”
The jury was sworn in on Tuesday, but Doyle changed his plea because the prosecution was scheduled to begin on Wednesday. The former Royal Marine will be sentenced at a two-day hearing at the same court on December 15 and 16.
Prosecutors at Liverpool Crown Court said Doyle had committed an act of “calculated violence” by driving his Ford Galaxy Titanium into the crowd. He attacked 100 men, women and children, and it was only by “sheer luck” that no one was killed.
The father-of-three, from Croxteth, Liverpool, sat with his head bowed and cried during the second day of his trial as he changed his plea.
Chief prosecutor Sarah Hammond said: “By entering a guilty plea, Doyle has finally admitted that he deliberately drove his car into a crowd of innocent people during Liverpool FC’s victory parade.”
“Dashcam footage from Doyle’s vehicle shows that he became increasingly agitated by the crowd as he approached Dale Street and Water Street. Rather than wait for the crowd to pass, Doyle intentionally drove toward the crowd and forced his way through.
“Driving a car into a crowd was a calculated act of violence. This was not a momentary lapse on Paul Doyle’s part. It was a choice he made that day that turned the celebration into mayhem.”
The Recorder of Liverpool, Judge Andrew Menary KC, said: “It is inevitable that a custodial sentence of some length will be imposed and we should prepare for that inevitability.”
Chief Inspector John Fitzgerald, of Merseyside Police, said: “Thousands of people had gathered in the city to watch the Liverpool FC parade and it was by sheer luck that no one was killed as a result of Doyle’s reckless actions.
“In just seven minutes, his dangerous driving caused his car to collide with more than 100 people, including children, in some cases causing them to be crushed and seriously injured.”
