A club spokesperson has praised the response of the emergency services as Doyle pleaded guilty after a car was driven into crowds at the Premier League title wining parade
A Liverpool FC spokesperson has issued a statement after Paul Doyle's guilty plea
A Liverpool FC spokesperson has issued a statement after Paul Doyle's guilty plea
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Liverpool FC has issued a statement after Paul Doyle pleaded guilty at Liverpool Crown Court today (November 26). 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 at Liverpool FC's parade celebrating their Premier League title win.
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 went on trial at Liverpool Crown Court on Tuesday after denying all charges.
He also pleaded not guilty to four counts which had been amended on the indictment yesterday morning. But shortly after 11am today Doyle's counsel Simon Csoka KC asked for his client to be rearraigned on all charges.
After Doyle's guilty plea, Liverpool FC issued an official statement on their club website in response to the development. It said: “Our victory parade last May allowed an unprecedented number of Liverpool fans to celebrate together our Premier League title win – something we were unable to do in 2020.
“The day of incredible joy ended in unimaginable circumstances and we hope today’s conviction brings some peace to all those affected by the horrific incident. Our thoughts are with them all.
“We would like to thank our emergency services and partner agencies – Merseyside Police, North West and St John Ambulance Services, Merseyside Fire & Rescue and members of the public who responded with such bravery and compassion on the day.
“Their actions undoubtedly saved lives and exemplified the spirit of our city.”
Doyle's mugshot
Doyle's mugshot(Image: CPS)
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Doyle sobbed into his hands and was told he could sit down as he admitted 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.
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 next month.
Speaking after conviction, Sarah Hammond, chief crown prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service in 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."