Paul Doyle Pleads Guilty After Hitting Liverpool Fans
In a shocking turn of events during the second day of his trial, Paul Doyle pleaded guilty to causing serious injuries to several people. The incident took place on May 26th, when Doyle drove his vehicle into fans celebrating Liverpool’s victory.
The 54-year-old man admitted to charges of dangerous driving, affray, 17 counts of attempted grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent, nine counts of causing GBH with intent, and three counts of wounding with intent at Liverpool Crown Court.
After a jury was constituted on Tuesday, Doyle changed his statements the next day, when the prosecution’s case was scheduled to begin. Visibly affected, he collapsed and broke down in tears while listening to the reading of the charges.
Previously, he had denied all charges related to the May 26 incident, which occurred amidst celebrations for the football team’s Premier League title.
More than 130 people were injured after Doyle crashed his Ford Galaxy Titanium into the crowd on Water Street, shortly after 6 p.m. He was arrested at the scene and charged that same week.The charges relate to 29 victims, aged between 6 months and 77 years. Baby Teddy Eveson, 6 months old, was one of the victims; his parents reported that he was thrown about 15 feet across the road in his stroller.
Doyle, a resident of Croxteth, Liverpool, admitted to attempting to cause serious bodily harm to the baby.
Five other children, whom Doyle allegedly injured or attempted to injure, cannot be named for legal reasons.
According to reports, Doyle, a former Royal Marine, appeared visibly affected in several pre-trial hearings, appearing via video conference from prison.
Thousands of Liverpool fans were in the city on the day of the attack to witness the parade, which began at 2:30 p.m. and covered 15 km before reaching the city center.
The team bus had traveled along The Strand, which passes the end of Water Street, before the incident and the parade was coming to an end, with the supporters heading home.
In May, Merseyside Police reported that they believed the driver had followed an ambulance onto Water Street after a temporary road closure was lifted to allow crews to attend to a person suffering a heart attack.
