Paul Doyle, 54, who admitted steering his car into crowds celebrating Liverpool's Premier League title on 26 May, will be sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court over two days. He pleaded guilty to 31 charges relating to 29 victims aged six months to 77 years. The attack injured 134 people (50 hospitalised); prosecutors say the actions were deliberate rather than accidental. The most serious counts carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
Man Who Drove Into Liverpool Title Celebration Crowds To Be Sentenced
Dozens of people were injured when a car ploughed into the crowds in Liverpool at the end of the May 26 victory parade (Paul ELLIS)(Paul ELLIS/AFP/AFP)
The sentencing hearing for Paul Doyle, the 54-year-old who drove a car into crowds celebrating Liverpool's Premier League title on 26 May, is scheduled to take place over two days at Liverpool Crown Court.
What Happened
Prosecutors say Doyle left the cul-de-sac where he lived and, over roughly seven minutes, steered his nearly two-tonne Ford Galaxy into groups of pedestrians in Liverpool city centre. The incident injured 134 people, including a six-month-old baby, and 50 victims required hospital treatment. Although there were no fatalities, many victims suffered serious injuries.
How The Incident Ended
According to the prosecution, the vehicle only came to a stop after several people, including children, became trapped beneath it and a member of the public climbed into the car's cabin for the final 16 seconds of its journey. Another person who entered the vehicle later put the gear into park, helping to bring it to a halt.
Legal Case
Doyle, who had initially denied the charges and was said to have planned a defence claiming he panicked, dramatically changed his plea during his November trial. He pleaded guilty to 31 counts last month, including causing grievous bodily harm with intent, wounding with intent, affray and dangerous driving. The charges relate to 29 victims aged between six months and 77 years.
Sarah Hammond of the Crown Prosecution Service said: "Rather than wait for them to pass, he deliberately drove at them, forcing his way through. This was not a momentary lapse by Paul Doyle — it was a choice he made that day and it turned celebration into mayhem."
Judge Andrew Menary warned Doyle to prepare for "a custodial sentence of some length". The most serious offences among the charges carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. Doyle has remained in custody since his arrest at the scene.
Response And Context
Merseyside Police were quick to say the incident was not linked to terrorism. Detective Chief Inspector John Fitzgerald described the scenes as "hard to forget" and said it was "only by sheer luck that nobody was killed because of Doyle's reckless actions." Witnesses reported chaotic scenes, with many people injured and some thrown against the vehicle.
Background
Local reporting indicates Doyle briefly served in the Royal Marines after leaving school and later worked in information technology and cyber security. He is registered as the owner of a headwear business, FarOut Caps, and reportedly used the company's social media account for posts about cryptocurrency and video games. Neighbours described him to media as a family man who kept fit and was generally well liked.
Sentencing is set to be heard over two days, Monday and Tuesday, at Liverpool Crown Court.
