Doyle could face life imprisonment after guilty plea

DAD TOLD TO PREPARE FOR 'INEVITABLE' CUSTODIAL SENTENCE

- By PATRICK EDRICH, ADAM EVERETT

THE man who ploughed into terrified Liverpool fans at the title-winning parade could face life imprisonment.

Paul Doyle, 54 and of Burghill Road in West Derby, broke down in tears as he pleaded guilty to 31 charges after a car was driven into crowds of fans during the celebrations in Liverpool city centre in May this year.

More than 100 pedestrians were injured as what was meant to be a day of joy turned into scenes of devastation and terror.

A jury of seven men and five women, as well as two female reserve jurors, who were all selected from a panel of 33 people on Tuesday morning, were discharged before Doyle was rearraigned. They watched Doyle admit his guilt from the jury benches, and he will now be sentenced next month.

The charges faced by dad-of-three Doyle are extremely serious. Most of them are offences under section 18 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 which, according to sentencing guidelines, carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

The presiding judge will consider factors including the harm caused, the defendant's culpability and the number of charges.

The Honorary Recorder of Liverpool Judge Andrew Menary KC told Doyle: "The court has now set a date for sentence in your case. The purpose for the delay is to ensure that everything is prepared and that the court has everything in writing.