Parade driver changes pleas to admit offences

PAUL Doyle carried out an act of "calculated violence" when he drove into more than 100 Liverpool FC fans at the Premier League title winners' victory parade earlier this year, prosecutors said.

- PRESS ASSOCIATION REPORTERS

The 54-year-old sobbed in court when he changed his pleas to admit 31 offences yesterday, as his trial was about to be opened to a jury.

Merseyside Police said Doyle's seven minutes of dangerous driving on May 26 led to his car colliding with 100 men, women and children, causing serious injuries and trapping people underneath his Ford Galaxy Titanium, and it was only by "sheer luck" no one was killed.

Doyle appeared to be shaking and was barely audible at times yesterday as he admitted dangerous driving, affray, 17 charges of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent, nine counts of causing GBH with intent, and three counts of wounding with intent at Liverpool Crown Court. He had previously denied the offences, which relate to 29 victims aged between six months and 77.