Man Who Ploughed Into LFC Victory Parade Was ‘In a Rage’, Trial Hears.
A former Royal Marines Commando acted as a “man in a rage” when he drove into dozens of LFC fans during a victory parade, an incident many initially feared to be a terrorist attack, a court has heard.
“The video was profoundly upsetting.”
Victims in the incident cried as video from the car’s camera depicted people being thrown into the air as he accelerated into crowds while screaming: “Fucking hell, move!”
The 54-year-old defendant will learn his fate on Tuesday following his guilty plea at the start of his trial last month to 31 criminal charges involving 29 victims, including eight minors.
‘A Man in a Rage’
The prosecution stated the court that the video evidence from Doyle’s two-tonne Ford Galaxy was “extremely graphic”. The recording revealed the father of three yelling “expletives” and “move out of the way” while he headed straight for a large crowd of supporters, some pulling children out of the way as his car horn blared.
It was stated in court that Doyle acted as a “individual whose anger whose anger had completely taken hold of him” as he ploughed further into the crowd, speeding up while individuals were struck by his vehicle.
Scale of the Carnage
In total, the former Royal Marine injured 134 individuals in just seven minutes – including more than 50 requiring hospital care. An infant was “miraculously” uninjured even though he was left on the roadway when Doyle’s car hit his pram, the court heard.
A supporter, a man named in court, was seen being launched into the air by the car, suffering a laceration to the back of his head, broken ribs and numerous scrapes.
Doyle could be heard shouting “fuck’s sake move! Get out of my path!” before ploughing further into screaming supporters, including an elderly woman and children who were dragged under the car.
Scene of Jubilation Turns to Horror
Speaking to a full court, lawyers said about 1 million people were present at “an event they believed to be a joyous occasion” marking the football club’s championship win. The celebratory atmosphere swiftly became “terror”, it was said, as Doyle drove into oncoming fans as he attempted to pick up a friend who had been at the parade.
“Some at the scene thought that what was taking place constituted a terrorist incident.”
Rampage Halted by Heroic Act
As bodies lay on the ground, Doyle’s rampage was brought to a halt by an ex-army member, a man identified in court, who entered the back of the car and held the car’s gear selector in “park”. Even then, Doyle kept his foot on the accelerator, according to evidence.
During questioning, Doyle claimed he reacted in a “state of sheer panic” due to a fear for his safety. Yet, the prosecution argued that the dashcam footage showed Doyle “simply lost control in his desire to get to where he wanted to get to”. The prosecutor added: “In a rage, he targeted the crowd and in doing so his intent was to cause serious injury.”
Dangerous Driving Prior to Incident
The video indicated Doyle had been driving dangerously before he reached the city centre, undertaking cars at speed and jumping red lights. He disregarded traffic diversion measures and bypassed other vehicles, including an ambulance and police cars, as he entered the crowds.
Doyle is expected to receive a prison sentence of over a decade at his sentencing hearing.
