Liverpool Football Club have issued a statement after Paul Doyle pleaded guilty to all 31 charges against him. Doyle drove his vehicle into a crowd of Liverpool supporters who had gathered on the streets on May 26 to celebrate the club's Premier League title triumph. The 54-year-old has now confessed to dangerous driving, affray, 17 counts of attempted grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent, nine instances of causing GBH with intent and three counts of wounding with intent.
He altered his plea on Wednesday, having previously denied the offences, which pertain to 29 victims aged between six months and 77 years old. Liverpool stated: "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 and 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."
On Tuesday, a jury was sworn in, but Doyle altered his pleas as the prosecution case was due to commence on Wednesday. The former Royal Marine will be sentenced at a two-day hearing on December 15 and 16 at the same court.
Prosecutors at Liverpool Crown Court said Doyle had carried out an act of "calculated violence" by driving his Ford Galaxy Titanium into a crowd. He struck 100 men, women and children and it was only by "sheer luck" no-one was killed.
The father-of-three from Croxteth, Liverpool, sat with his head bowed and wept as he altered his plea on the second day of his trial.
Chief Crown prosecutor Sarah Hammond said: "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."
Recorder of Liverpool, Judge Andrew Menary KC, said: "It is inevitable there will be a custodial sentence of some length and you should prepare yourself for that inevitability."
Merseyside Police Detective Chief Inspector John Fitzgerald stated: "Thousands of people had gathered in the city to watch the Liverpool FC parade and it is only by sheer luck that nobody was killed because of Doyle's reckless actions.
"In just seven minutes his dangerous driving meant that his car collided with more than 100 people, including children, in some cases trapping people underneath and causing serious injuries."