Driver who ploughed into fans changes pleas to guilty

A former Royal Marine is facing prison after he admitted ploughing his car into football fans at Liverpool's Premier League victory parade in an act of "calculated violence", injuring 134 people.

- AMY-CLARE MARTIN CRIME CORRESPONDENT

Paul Doyle, 54, had initially denied using his car as a weapon after being charged with 31 offences relating to 29 victims ranging in age from a six-month-old baby to a 77-year-old pensioner.

Some pedestrians, including children, were trapped under the two-tonne Ford Galaxy Titanium on 26 May, when 750,000 fans had gathered in the city centre to celebrate Liverpool winning the Premier League title.

It was “sheer luck” that no one was killed in the city centre attack, police said. The incident “struck at the heart of a city united in joy, leaving fear in its wake”, prosecutors said. “This was not a momentary lapse by Paul Doyle - it was a choice he made that day and it turned celebration into mayhem.”

A jury was sworn in for Doyle to stand trial at Liverpool Crown Court on Tuesday, but he changed his pleas yesterday as the prosecution was due to open its case.

Appearing in a dark suit and tie, Doyle bowed his head and clasped his hands as he admitted to 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. Doyle, a married father of three, was allowed to sit down as he sobbed in the dock, responding “guilty” when each charge was put to him.