More than 100 pedestrians, aged between six months and 78, were injured when a car was driven into crowds of fans in Liverpool city centre
Court artist sketch by Elizabeth Cook of Paul Doyle, 54, appearing at Liverpool Crown Court during his trial where he is accused of multiple offences
Court artist sketch by Elizabeth Cook of Paul Doyle, 54, appearing at Liverpool Crown Court during his trial where he is accused of multiple offences
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Paul Doyle broke down in tears as he pleaded guilty to a series of offences after causing scenes of carnage during Liverpool FC’s Premier League title parade. The 54-year-old, of Burghill Road in West Derby, had faced a total of 31 charges after a car was driven into crowds of fans during the celebrations in Liverpool city centre earlier this year.
More than 100 pedestrians, ranging from children aged as young as six months to a 78-year-old woman, were injured after being struck by a Ford Galaxy on Water Street shortly after 6pm on Monday, May 26, as what was meant to be a day of joy turned into scenes of devastation and terror. Fifty casualties required hospital treatment in the aftermath of the shocking incident, although they were later discharged.
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.
But, 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. They watched Doyle admit his guilt from the jury benches, and he will now be sentenced on a later date.
The total of 31 counts Doyle faced included 17 charges of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent. The complainants in these matters were 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 alleged that 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 faced three 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 all of the charges during a plea and trial preparation hearing before the same court in September.
More than 20 members of the press watched proceedings within the courtroom, as well as family members, lawyers and police officers.