The 54-year-old is facing sentencing after admitting a total of 31 charges on the day he was due to stand trial
Police and emergency personnel on Water Street, Liverpool
Police and emergency personnel on Water Street, Liverpool
View 2 Images
A mum who suffered a "shark bite" injury after being hit by Paul Doyle's car said she thought her baby was dead after seeing his pram on its side. Sheree Aldridge, 37, had attended the title-winning parade with her partner Dan Eveson, 37, and their six-month-old baby son Teddy, when Doyle ploughed into crowds of fans who had been celebrating the Reds 20th Premier League title.
Doyle 54 and of Burghill Road in West Derby, admitted a total of 31 charges last month. More than 100 pedestrians, ranging from babies to a 78-year-old woman, were injured after being struck by the Ford Galaxy on Water Street in Liverpool city centre 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 appalling incident, with all of them later discharged.
Doyle tearfully changed his pleas to guilty on the day he was due to go on trial and returned to Liverpool Crown Court in order to be sentenced today, Monday, December 15. His sentencing is now due to take place over the course of two days on Monday and Tuesday.
Dozens of victim personal statements were read to the court on Monday by the prosecution, from victims and their families who spoke about the impact the devastating events of last May continue to have on them.
Ms Aldridge told the court: "We had just celebrated the Liverpool FC victory parade, and my partner Dan was excited to share this moment with our baby son Teddy, his first-born son, who was proudly dressed in his little Liverpool FC shirt.
"In that moment I thought I was going to die. I didn’t know where Dan and Teddy was. I felt an overwhelming pain in my leg and looked up to see Teddy’s pushchair on its side further up the road. I thought my Teddy was dead. I thought I was next. I thought my children would grow up without a mother."
Paul Doyle court case
Paul Doyle(Image: PA Media)
View 2 Images
She added: "I spent 18 days in hospital, alone and two hours away from family and friends. Dan was too traumatised to visit more than twice. I learnt to walk again using a Zimmer frame. I have been diagnosed with a lifelong condition called Morel-Lavallee Lesion Twice, doctors had to remove half a litre of blood from a cavity in my leg. Then came the blisters, leaking daily, turning into an open wound where my skin died and peeled away.
"Nurses had to scalpel dead tissue away from my leg every two days. It looked like a shark bite. It smelled so badly I felt ashamed being near people. I felt disgusting, disfigured and broken. I now suffer from severe back and hip pain from prolonged use of crutches. One night I collapsed onto Dan from the pain and had to be taken to A&E by ambulance.
"I can’t sleep through the night. I can’t wear trousers or let anyone touch my leg due to hypersensitivity and I may need a skin graft. I can’t make my children’s packed lunches or take them to school. I missed sports day. I couldn't attend parents' evening. I need a frame to use the toilet at 37 years of age.
"This has also impacted my mum massively. She has been the strong one for me and Dan. Teddy hasn’t been in a pushchair since that day. My leg will never be the same again. I will never be the same again. I am scarred for life.
"This was supposed to be my maternity leave, a time to bond with my baby and make memories. Instead, I’ve been robbed of those moments. I can’t drive or take my children anywhere and I’m too tired to play with them. Financially we are struggling as we are both on low wages and both had to take a lot of time off work to heal physically and mentally.
"Dan’s mental health has deteriorated. He blames himself for taking us to the parade. He feels useless for not being able to protect us or provide for our family. He can’t bear to look at my leg or watch me suffer. Our intimacy has gone. He feels lost, afraid to leave me or Teddy alone. He suffers from PTSD and separation anxiety. We are both on anxiety medication. All we wanted was to celebrate. Instead, we were left broken."
The charges Doyle has admitted 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 counts which he pleaded guilty to stated 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 faces sentence for 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.
It is anticipated that Doyle, who is represented by Simon Csoka KC and Damian Nolan, will not be sentenced by the Honorary Recorder of Liverpool Judge Andrew Menary KC until tomorrow, Tuesday. The hearing continues, with the ECHO providing live updates from courtroom 41.