"This was not a momentary lapse by Paul Doyle — it was a choice he made that day"
Court artist sketch by Elizabeth Cook of Paul Doyle, 53, appearing at Liverpool Magistrates' Court, where he was remanded in custody
Court artist sketch by Elizabeth Cook of Paul Doyle during a previous appearance before magistrates in Liverpool
View Image
Merseyside's chief crown prosecutor today said she hoped those affected by the Liverpool FC parade crash would feel "justice had been done" after Paul Doyle entered guilty pleas.
Doyle, 54, was in tears at Liverpool Crown Court as he pleaded guilty to the charges this morning, ahead of the anticipated opening of the prosecution case against him. Doyle went on trial at Liverpool Crown Court on Tuesday where he was rearraigned on four counts which had been amended on the indictment. Doyle tearfully pleaded not guilty to the amended charges before the court was adjourned ahead of the prosecution opening its case on Wednesday morning.
Shortly after 11am, Doyle's counsel Simon Csoka KC asked for his client to be rearraigned on all charges. Appearing in the dock wearing a black suit and glasses and sporting slicked back greying hair, he admitted all of the counts on the indictment through floods of tears.
A jury of seven men and five women, as well as two female reserve jurors, who were all selected from a panel of 33 people on Tuesday morning, were discharged before Doyle was rearraigned.
After the guilty pleas Sarah Hammond, Chief Crown Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service in Mersey-Cheshire, said: "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."