Man That Drove Into LFC Victory Parade Was ‘In a Rage’, Court Hears.
A former Royal Marine acted as a “person consumed by fury” when he drove into scores of LFC supporters at a championship celebration, in what many feared was a act of terrorism, a court has heard.
“The footage was profoundly upsetting.”
Victims in the incident wept as dashcam footage showed people being thrown into the air while he sped towards the gathering while screaming: “Fucking hell, move!”
Doyle, 54, is due to be sentenced on Tuesday following his guilty plea at the start of his trial last month to 31 criminal charges involving 29 victims, including eight minors.
‘Consumed by Anger’
The prosecution stated those in court that the video evidence from Doyle’s large people carrier was “truly shocking”. It showed the parent yelling “expletives” and “move out of the way” while he headed straight for hundreds of fans, with people frantically dragging children to safety as his car horn blared.
The court was told that Doyle was a “individual whose anger had completely overpowered him” as he ploughed further into the crowd, accelerating as people collided with his car.
Scale of the Carnage
In total, the ex-marine hurt 134 people within a mere seven-minute span – including more than 50 requiring hospital care. An infant was “remarkably” unharmed despite being left splayed on the road when Doyle’s car hit his pram, the court heard.
One fan, Simon Nash, was seen being launched into the air by the vehicle, suffering a laceration on his head, broken ribs and numerous scrapes.
Doyle could be heard shouting “fuck’s sake move! Get out my fucking way!” before ploughing further into panicked fans, among them an older woman and young children who were dragged under the car.
Celebration Descends into Chaos
Speaking to a full court, the prosecution said approximately a million individuals were present at “what they thought would be a joyous occasion” marking the football club’s championship win. The celebratory atmosphere swiftly became “horror”, the prosecutor said, when the driver entered the crowd while trying to collect a companion who had been at the parade.
“Witnesses thought that what was taking place was a terrorist attack.”
Rampage Halted by Heroic Act
As bodies lay on the ground, the vehicle’s path was stopped by an ex-army member, a man identified in court, who entered the back of the car and forced the gearstick into park. Despite this, Doyle continued pressing the gas pedal, the court heard.
In his police interview, Doyle stated he reacted in a “blind panic” because he feared for his life. Yet, the prosecution argued that the dashcam footage demonstrated the defendant “just lost his temper in his determination to reach his destination”. The prosecutor added: “Consumed by anger, he targeted the crowd and in doing so his intent was to cause serious injury.”
Dangerous Driving Prior to Incident
The video indicated the driver had been driving dangerously prior to entering downtown, undertaking cars at speed and running red lights. He disregarded road closures and bypassed other cars, even emergency service vehicles, as he approached the packed streets.
Doyle is expected to receive a jail term of more than 10 years at his sentencing hearing.
