Doyle was 'completely sober' when he ploughed into fans at LFC parade

54-YEAR-OLD 'DROVE DANGEROUSLY FROM AN EARLY STAGE'

- By ADAM EVERETT, PATRICK EDRICH

PAUL DOYLE was “completely sober” when he drove into crowds at Liverpool FC's title parade and claimed to have acted “in blind panic and in fear of his life, a court has heard.

The 54-year-old, of Burghill Road in West Derby, admitted a total of 31 charges last month, having driven his car into crowds of fans during the celebrations earlier this year.

More than 100 pedestrians, ranging from babies to a 78-year-old woman, were injured after being struck by the Ford Galaxy on Water Street in Liverpool city centre shortly after 6pm on Monday, May 26, as what was meant to be a day of joy turned into scenes of devastation and terror.

Fifty casualties required hospital treatment in the aftermath of the appalling incident, although they were later discharged.

Doyle changed his pleas to guilty on the day he was due to go on trial at Liverpool Crown Court, with his sentencing now due to take place over the course of two days on Monday and Tuesday.

Appearing in the dock yesterday wearing a black suit over a white shirt and grey tie, he appeared to become tearful at the beginning of the hearing and wiped his nose with a tissue.

Paul Greaney KC, prosecuting, then told the court: “On the 27th of April 2025, Liverpool FC beat Tottenham Hotspur 5-1 to reach a points total in the Premier League that was unassailable. In becoming champions, the club achieved its 20th title.

“The city of Liverpool wished to celebrate the club's achievement, and a parade was therefore arranged for the 26th of May 2025, the spring bank holiday.

“This was to involve the players and staff travelling in an open top bus on a route that started at Allerton Maze in South Liverpool at 2.30pm and travelled through the suburbs of the city before ending outside the Liver Building on the Strand, next to the River Mersey, at an estimated time of 5.30 pm.