He had previously appeared at Exeter Magistrates' Court
Eleanor Barlow, Josh Payne, Pat Hurst and Katie Dickinson, Press Association and Alex Driscoll Breaking news reporter
12:39, 16 Dec 2025
View Image
Paul Doyle(Image: PA)
An ex Royal Marine who drove his car through a crowd of people at Liverpool FC's victory parade trained in Devon and previously appeared at court in Exeter.
The sentencing hearing for Paul Doyle, 54, resumed today at Liverpool Crown Court.
Doyle drove his Ford Galaxy into a sea of people on Dale Street and Water Street in Liverpool city centre as hundreds gathered to celebrate Liverpool's title victory.
He pleaded guilty on the second day of his trial to 31 offences.
Doyle 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.
The court was told by Paul Greaney KC, who is prosecuting, that Doyle enlisted in the Royal Marines as a 19-year-old, after a short period in the Royal Engineers, and trained at Lympstone near Exmouth in Devon.
He had signed up for 22 years of service, but was discharged in January 1993, 22 months and enlisting and having not seen active service.
He was discharged on a basis that his services were no longer required.
Mr Greaney said Doyle had both civilian and service convictions.
When Doyle was in the Royal Engineers in 1989, he committed a military offence that equated to common assault and was give seven days’ detention, he said.
The court heard that in March the following year, aged 18, Doyle was fined for a minor offence of dishonesty.
In October 1991, at the end of Paul Doyle’s 32-week training period for the Royal Marines at the Commando Training Centre in Lympstone, he had what he later described as a “scuffle” with men in a nightclub.
He said after he was thrown out, the men were waiting for him and he “got the better of them”.
He punched another person in the face several times and was convicted of a section 20 assault and fined by Exeter Magistrates’ Court.
In February 1992, he was convicted of two military offences – one of using violence to a superior officer and one of conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline – and in July that year he was convicted of a military offence equivalent to criminal damage, the court heard.
The court later heard that Doyle has a previous conviction for biting someone's ear off and was jailed for 12 months for causing grievous bodily harm in November 1994, following the fight in July 1993.
The final previous offences he was convicted of before his guilty pleas last month were a minor offence of dishonesty and breach of the peace in Scotland in December 1993, the court heard.
Mr Greaney said between the ages of 18 and 22 Doyle was convicted of offences, including serious violence.
He said: “The prosecution recognises that in the 30 years between his release from prison in May 1995 and his dreadful actions on May 26 2025, the defendant had taken steps to live a positive and productive life.
“During that period, he was convicted of no offences. He went to university. He worked, including in positions of responsibility.
“He had a family. Those efforts to rehabilitate himself after a difficult early adulthood only serve to make more shocking and tragic what he did in Liverpool that day this May.”
The day began when victim impact statements were read out in the court, detailing the horror of the day and the consequences which affect many of those involved.
More than 100 people were hit and the victims were aged between six months and 77-years-old.
Prosecutors said he flew into a “rage” on May 26 – with horrific dashcam footage showing him shout “move”, “f****** pricks” and “get out the f****** way” as he drove through the crowds.
Article continues below
The sentencing hearing continues and he is due to be sentenced later today.