Paul Doyle denies 31 alleged offences connected to his "alleged conduct at the Liverpool FC parade"
Paul Doyle
Paul Doyle (Image: Facebook/Liverpool Echo)
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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 denies 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.
During the early proceedings this morning, 33 potential jurors were brought into court, and the selection process began. They were asked to confirm that they did not know Doyle by sight and similarly do not know any of the parties in the case.
A jury of seven men and five women was selected. Two reserve jurors were also selected who will listen to the prosecution's opening. It is common practice for 14 jurors to be selected at this stage of proceedings.
The Honorary Recorder of Liverpool Judge Andrew Menary KC, presiding, told the reserve jurors: "Numbers 13 and 14, you are in fact reserve jurors. My hope is that nothing will happen in relation to the first 12 people. The reason we have numbers 13 and 14 is if anything happens in the next day or so that makes it impossible for one of you 12 to complete this case. If something does occur to you, a reason why you could not complete your service in this case, it’s better that I know right at the beginning. If there isn't any, then at that point we will release numbers 13 and 14. Can I ask you to concentrate on everything that's going to happen, in particular the details of the prosecution’s opening? It may well be that you are required to come from the substitutes’ bench onto the jury."
The judge told jurors the trial was 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."
The jury were told their decisions must be based solely on the evidence heard in court and warned against doing their own research. They were also told to not use social media to speak about the trial.
The prosecution's case is expected to open tomorrow. Paul Greaney KC and Philip Astbury appear for the prosecution, with Doyle being represented by Simon Csoka KC and Damian Nolan.