Paul Doyle, 54 and of West Derby, denies 31 alleged offences relating to the LFC parade crash
Court artist sketch by Elizabeth Cook of Paul Doyle, 54, appearing at Liverpool Magistrates' Court, during a previous court appearance
Court artist sketch by Elizabeth Cook of Paul Doyle, 54, appearing at Liverpool Magistrates' Court, during a previous court appearance
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The trial of Liverpool parade crash suspect Paul Doyle, 54, began on Tuesday at Liverpool Crown Court. Doyle, 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 arrived at court in an unmarked prison van at around 9.30am this morning. Merseyside Police officers lined the entrance to the court building on The Strand on Liverpool's waterfront.
Court proceedings are being held in Liverpool Crown Court's courtroom 4-1. Every seat in the court was taken by family or members of the press. Dozens of journalists will also watch the proceedings via an overflow annex.
Proceedings began on Tuesday with Paul Greaney KC, prosecuting, asking for Doyle's indictment to be amended in relation to four of the counts he faces. On 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 two people grievous bodily harm with intent, are now charged as causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
Doyle, who appeared in court wearing a suit and glasses and sporting slicked back, greying hair, wiped tears from his eyes as he pleaded not guilty to the four counts.
In total, Doyle denies 31 alleged offences including dangerous driving, affray, 17 charges of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent, nine counts of causing GBH with intent and three counts of wounding with intent. The youngest complainant is six months old.
A jury of seven men and five women, plus two female reserve jurors, were selected from a 33-person jury panel.
The Honorary Recorder of Liverpool Judge Andrew Menary KC told proceedings that the two reserve jurors would hear the details of the prosecution's opening in case it was not possible for one of the 12 jurors to continue.
The judge told jurors the trial concerned events connected to Doyle’s "alleged conduct at the Liverpool FC parade". He said: "The incident, as you may already be aware from general public knowledge, occurred in a busy city centre setting and has been the subject of public attention. For that reason it is especially important each of you keep strictly to the rules I am about to outline to you."
Judge Menary said the jurors' decisions must be based solely on the evidence heard in court and warned them against doing their own research. Jurors were told not to use social media to speak about the trial.
The prosecution's case is expected to open tomorrow. Mr Greaney and Philip Astbury appear for the prosecution, with Doyle being represented by Simon Csoka KC and Damian Nolan.