Paul Doyle, 54, has burst into tears in court this morning after pleading guilty in a shocking twist as charges were put to him - the jury has now been discharged
11:29, 26 Nov 2025Updated 11:50, 26 Nov 2025
He cried as the jury was sworn in
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He cried as the jury was sworn in(Image: PA)
Liverpool parade crash driver Paul Doyle has pleaded guilty to charges in court today. In a dramatic twist, jurors sworn in yesterday (November 25) were discharged before opening speeches were set to go ahead this morning.
The 54-year-old of Croxteth, Liverpool, took off his glasses, bowed his head and sobbed as he pleaded guilty to a number of charges put to him after being rearraigned at Liverpool Crown Court.
He admitted driving his car into throngs of supporters during Liverpool FC's Premier League title celebrations in the heart of Liverpool city centre in May this year.
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(Image: Liverpool Police)
Over 100 pedestrians, including children and a 78-year-old woman, were injured after being hit by a Ford Galaxy on Water Street just after 6pm on 26 May this year, with 50 individuals needing hospital care. All victims have since been discharged from hospital.
Doyle held his head down and sobbed as he changed his pleas to guilty on the second day of his trial at Liverpool Crown Court. They included 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 charges relate to 29 victims, aged between six months and 77 years old.
The youngest victim was Teddy Eveson, whose parents later told media he was thrown about 15 feet down the road in his pram when the crash happened.
Doyle, of Croxteth, Liverpool, admitted attempting to cause grievous bodily harm to the baby.
Five other children, who Doyle is alleged to have either injured or attempted to injure, cannot be named for legal reasons.
The defendant, reportedly a former Royal Marine, was in tears at a number of pre-trial hearings when he appeared over videolink from prison.
He was supported in court by family members.
In May, Merseyside Police said they believed the driver had followed an ambulance onto Water Street after a road block was temporarily lifted for crews to attend to a person having a heart attack.
Sarah Hammond, chief crown prosecutor for CPS Mersey-Cheshire, said: “Today’s convictions bring a measure of justice for an act that caused unimaginable harm during what should have been a day of celebration for the city of Liverpool.
“Paul Doyle has been held responsible for his deliberate actions that endangered lives and brought chaos upon a community. A total of 134 people were injured, including children as young as six months. This attack did not just harm individuals — it struck at the heart of a city united in joy, leaving fear in its wake.
“By entering guilty pleas, Doyle has finally accepted that he intentionally drove into crowds of innocent people during Liverpool FC’s victory parade.
“Dashcam footage from Doyle’s vehicle shows that as he approached Dale Street and Water Street, he became increasingly agitated by the crowds. Rather than wait for them to pass, he deliberately drove at them, forcing his way through.
“Driving a vehicle into a crowd is an act of calculated violence. This was not a momentary lapse by Paul Doyle — it was a choice he made that day and it turned celebration into mayhem.
“I would like to commend the bravery of emergency services who acted swiftly at the scene. There can be no doubt that their actions saved lives.
"Liverpool as a city has shown resilience and unity in the face of this awful act, and I hope the victims, their families and anyone affected will feel justice has been done."
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