A man who drove his car into crowds during Liverpool FC’s victory parade did so out of rage, not fear, prosecutors told a court as victims described terror, injury and lasting trauma.
Paul Doyle, 54, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court for the first day of a two-day sentencing hearing over the Water Street rampage on 26 May, which injured more than 100 people.
Doyle told police he acted in panic and fear. Prosecutors said those claims were lies, arguing he had “just lost his temper” while trying to force his way through celebrating crowds.
Victim impact statements, read aloud in court, described chaotic scenes as people were struck, thrown into the air and left fearing for their lives during the early evening celebrations.
Sheree Aldridge, 37, told the court she believed her baby son, Teddy Eveson, had been killed when his pram was hit and launched into the air by Doyle’s vehicle.
“I thought my Teddy was dead,” she said, describing overwhelming pain in her leg and terror that she would be next. “I thought my children would grow up without a mother.”
Judge Andrew Menary KC lifted reporting restrictions to allow Teddy to be named, after his parents agreed. Prosecutors said the baby “remarkably” escaped injury.
A 12-year-old boy, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, told the court he had never felt such fear after being knocked to the ground by a car he did not see coming.
His mother said her heart sank when she saw her son lying motionless on the road. The sounds of the car hitting people, she said, would remain with her forever.
Other victims described emotional and psychological injuries, including frequent flashbacks and ongoing fear in crowded places following the attack.
Doyle, a former Royal Marine from Croxteth, Liverpool, has pleaded guilty to 31 offences. He changed his plea on the second day of his trial last month.
The charges include dangerous driving, affray, 17 counts of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent, nine counts of causing GBH with intent, and three counts of wounding with intent.
Prosecutor Paul Greaney KC said Doyle used his Ford Galaxy “as a weapon” over a two-minute period between 17:59 and 18:01 BST while thousands of fans filled the city centre.
CCTV and dashcam footage played in court showed Doyle shouting “move” and swearing as he drove into crowds, including after striking a 10-year-old girl.
Mr Greaney described Doyle as a “man out of control”, adding that the footage showed him repeatedly stopping, reversing and driving forward again through people.
“The truth is a simple one,” he told the court. “Paul Doyle just lost his temper in his desire to get to where he wanted to get to.”
He said Doyle regarded himself as the most important person on the road and was prepared to cause serious harm, even to children, to force his way through.
Doyle told police he stopped as soon as he realised he had hit someone. Prosecutors said that claim was contradicted by extensive video and eyewitness evidence.
The court heard that Daniel Barr, described by prosecutors as a “hero”, jumped into the back of the moving vehicle and forced it into park.
Mr Barr held the gear selector as the car continued moving, with witnesses saying Doyle kept his foot on the accelerator even after the vehicle was halted.
In a police van immediately after the attack, Doyle was heard saying: “I’ve just ruined my family’s life.” The sentencing hearing continues on Tuesday morning.
