Liverpool victory parade: Paul Doyle handed 21 years and six months in prison for driving into crowds of celebrating supporters
Paul Doyle, 54, who admitted guilt in November to all 31 charges linked to the Liverpool victory parade attack in May, has been handed a prison sentence of 21 years and six months.
Warning: This report contains distressing details and strong language.
Doyle injured 134 people after driving his car into crowds celebrating Liverpool’s Premier League title. On May 26, he had travelled from his home in Croxteth to the city centre to pick up friends from the parade when he lost control of his anger and deliberately drove his Ford Galaxy into supporters heading home.
Dashcam footage shown in court captured the moment he accelerated along Water Street at around 6pm, despite it being closed to traffic, sending fans onto the bonnet of his car and knocking others to the ground beneath it. In the footage, Doyle could be heard shouting abuse and ordering people to “move” as he forced his way through the crowds.
Although he initially denied the 31 charges, Doyle changed his plea shortly before the trial was due to begin, admitting all offences. The former Royal Marine broke down in tears as he pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, affray, 17 counts of attempted grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent, nine counts of causing GBH with intent, and three counts of wounding with intent.
The 29 victims listed in the indictment ranged from a baby aged six months to a 77-year-old adult.
Passing sentence, Judge Andrew Menary KC described Doyle’s actions as an outburst of “inexplicable and pure fury.” He told Doyle it was almost impossible to understand how anyone could behave in such a way, adding that deliberately driving into pedestrians with such persistence and disregard for life was beyond normal comprehension. The judge said the scale of horror and devastation caused by Doyle’s actions was unprecedented for the court.
Evidence showed Doyle overtaking cars and running a red light as he drove into the city. Footage revealed him continuing at speed along Dale Street, even as large numbers of fans filled the road. His dashcam recorded him swearing while parents desperately pulled their children out of his path.
After briefly stopping behind a queue of cars turning away from Water Street, Doyle suddenly swerved left and drove straight into the packed crowd. His vehicle was eventually stopped only when supporter Dan Barr climbed into the back seat and forced the automatic gearstick into park.
Despite people being trapped underneath the car, Doyle repeatedly tried to accelerate further. He later claimed he had panicked after seeing someone with a knife, but police found no evidence from CCTV or witnesses to support this. Investigators also confirmed the car had no faults and that Doyle was not under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Crown Prosecution Service lawyer James Allison said Doyle’s actions were driven by rage, stating that his determination to force his way down the road had likely devastated many lives in just a matter of minutes.
Detective Chief Inspector John Fitzgerald added that Doyle’s complete disregard for public safety — especially with so many young children present — was impossible to understand, and said it was “pure luck” that nobody was killed.