Seven men and five women were balloted to serve as jurors, with a further two reserves also being sworn in
Court artist sketch by Elizabeth Cook of Paul Doyle, 53, appearing at Liverpool Magistrates' Court, where he was remanded in custody
Court artist sketch of Paul Doyle during an earlier hearing at Liverpool Magistrates' Court
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A jury has been selected to serve in the trial of Paul Doyle. The 54-year-old, of Burghill Road in West Derby, faces a series of alleged offences after a car was driven into crowds of fans during Liverpool FC's Premier League title celebrations in Liverpool city centre.
More than 100 pedestrians, ranging from children to a 78-year-old woman, were injured after being struck by a Ford Galaxy on Water Street shortly after 6pm on May 26 this year, with 50 people requiring hospital treatment. They were later discharged from hospital.
Doyle's trial began at Liverpool Crown Court this morning, Tuesday, with Paul Greaney KC, prosecuting, having asked for the indictment to be amended in relation to four of the counts he faces.
In count six, the charge of causing an 11-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, grievous bodily harm with intent was amended to an allegation of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent.
Count 21, which accused Doyle of causing a 12-year-old boy grievous harm with intent, was meanwhile altered to an offence of wounding with intent.
And counts 24 and 25, which had been matters of attempting to cause Hannah O’Neill and Stefan Dettlaf grievous bodily harm with intent, are now charged as causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
Appearing in the dock wearing a black suit over a white shirt and grey tie and sporting glasses, with his greying hair slicked back, Doyle was arraigned on these amended charges. He then wiped away tears as he pleaded not guilty to the four counts.
The court thereafter turned to the process of selecting and swearing in a jury from a panel of 33, who were asked to answer questionnaires on Monday in order to ensure their suitability to serve on the case.
Seven men and five women were balloted to serve on the case, with two reserves, both women, being selected to hear the prosecution's opening tomorrow, Wednesday.
The Honorary Recorder of Liverpool Judge Andrew Menary KC, who will be presiding over the trial, said of this selection process: "All of you have completed a questionnaire.
"You understand, in general terms, what this trial involves. None of you have indicated a difficulty in serving as potential jurors, either for the likely duration of the trial or because you have direct knowledge of or connection to any aspect of the case."
The total of 31 counts Doyle now faces include 17 charges of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent.
The complainants in these matters have been named as six-month-old Teddy Eveson, other boys and girls aged seven months, 10, 11, 13, as well as adults Jack Trotter, Jon Evans, Scott Dolan, Ashton Gilmore, Jacqueline McClaren, Jamie Fagan, Carl Martin, James Vernon, Emily Wright, David Price, James Weston and Ethan Gillard.
A further nine charges allege he caused grievous bodily harm with intent to Helen Gilmore, Anna Bilonozhenko, Sheree Aldridge, Sam Alexander, Hannah O’Neill, Stefan Dettlaf, Christine Seeckts, Susan Passey and Aaron Cothliff.
He finally faces three alleged offences of wounding with intent against a 12-year-old boy, Simon Nash and Robin Darke, as well as matters of affray and dangerous driving, having previously pleaded not guilty to the other charges during a plea and trial preparation hearing before the same court in September.