A former marine who injured more than 130 people by driving his car into crowds at Liverpool’s victory parade has pleaded guilty to all charges on the first day of his trial.
Paul Doyle, 54, appeared in the dock at Liverpool Crown Court where he was charged with 31 offences related to the incident on May 26.
He previously denied all offences but sobbed as he pleaded guilty to all 31 counts he faced.
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.
Doyle, of Croxteth, Liverpool, appeared inconsolable and gasped repeatedly as the counts he faced were read out by the court clerk one by one.
As the charges continued to be put to him, Doyle’s voice shook and he could scarcely utter the word ‘guilty’. Afterwards, he sat slumped in his seat in the dock.
A two-day sentencing hearing is set to be begin on December 15.
‘Things have moved quickly this morning,’ Paul Greaney, KC, prosecuting, said.
Mr Greaney told Judge Menary that sentencing would need to take into account the impact on victims as well as businesses in the city.
Addressing the court, Simon Csoka KC, defending, said character evidence would be presented at the sentencing hearing.
Judge Menary told Doyle that he was free to return to the cells as he was remanded back into custody. He said a ‘custodial sentence of some length’ was plainly inevitable’.
Addressing the jury, Judge Menary explained they were no longer required and thanked them for their patience, before adding that juries were ‘the best system in the world’ for hearing such cases.
An artist’s sketch of Paul Doyle after he appeared in court yesterday
Emergency services at the scene of the incident on Water Street. More than 130 people were injured, police later said
Statements from the victims would be presented by the prosecution at Doyle’s sentencing, a date for which has yet to be fixed.
More than 130 people reported injuries after a Ford Galaxy collided with crowds on Water Street just after 6pm on May 26.
The charges related to 29 victims, aged between six months and 77 years old.
Sarah Hammond, Chief Crown Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service in Mersey-Cheshire, said: ‘Today’s convictions bring a measure of justice for an act that caused unimaginable harm during what should have been a day of celebration for the city of Liverpool.
‘Paul Doyle has been held responsible for his deliberate actions that endangered lives and brought chaos upon a community.
‘A total of 134 people were injured, including children as young as six months. This attack did not just harm individuals — it struck at the heart of a city united in joy, leaving fear in its wake.
‘By entering guilty pleas, Doyle has finally accepted that he intentionally drove into crowds of innocent people during Liverpool FC’s victory parade.
‘Dashcam footage from Doyle’s vehicle shows that as he approached Dale Street and Water Street, he became increasingly agitated by the crowds. Rather than wait for them to pass, he deliberately drove at them, forcing his way through.
‘Driving a vehicle into a crowd is an act of calculated violence. This was not a momentary lapse by Paul Doyle — it was a choice he made that day and it turned celebration into mayhem.
‘I would like to commend the bravery of emergency services who acted swiftly at the scene. There can be no doubt that their actions saved lives.
‘Liverpool as a city has shown resilience and unity in the face of this awful act, and I hope the victims, their families and anyone affected will feel justice has been done.’
This is a breaking news story. More to follow.
