Dashcam footage of Doyle's recklessness was shown in court but largely deemed too graphic for public release
17:51, 21 Dec 2025
Sickening footage of Paul Doyle ploughing into a crowd of Liverpool fans during the club's Premier League trophy parade was "the most distressing" a senior police officer has ever seen.
Terror descended upon the city on May 26 as Doyle, an ex-Marine, drove his vehicle into dozens of people. A court heard the 54-year-old father acted in a fit of 'rage' during his horrifying seven-minute spree.
The Mirror reports that senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector John Fitzgerald, of Merseyside Police, described a recording of the incident as "the most distressing and graphic footage" he has encountered.
An aerial view of a busy urban street, with numerous individuals walking in various directions, several vehicles including cars and vans visible, and storefronts lining the street. The overall atmosphere suggests a lively urban scene.
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Paul Doyle - marked by police as "PD" - drove into crowds at Liverpool's Premier League trophy parade in May(Image: MERSEYSIDE POLICE/AFP via Getty)
DCI Fitzgerald said: "In my 20 years of police service this is the most distressing and graphic footage that I have come across. It was really difficult to watch for me and the whole of the investigation team, but it was really important that we did because we had to tell the story of each individual victim as to what had gone on."
The dashcam evidence of Doyle driving his vehicle into numerous pedestrians was considered too disturbing for public viewing, though it was shown at Liverpool Crown Court. Doyle was jailed for 21-and-a-half years on Tuesday (December 16).
During sentencing, Judge Andrew Menary KC described the "truly shocking" footage to Doyle, saying: "The footage is truly shocking. It is difficult, if not impossible, to convey in words alone the scene of devastation you caused. It shows you, quite deliberately, accelerating into groups of fans time and time again.
"You struck people head-on, knocked others onto the bonnet, drove over limbs, crushed prams and forced those nearby to scatter in terror.
He continued: "You ploughed on at speed and over a considerable distance, violently knocking people aside or simply driving over them – person, after person, after person. You accelerated forwards and backwards repeatedly, several victims became trapped beneath the vehicle as you continued to move it – others were thrown into the air or propelled across the ground.".
At around 6pm, Doyle's Ford Galaxy mounted the kerb and careered through the masses for roughly 50 metres, leaving 134 people injured, including youngsters. Doyle wept as the devastating dashcam footage depicting the collision was presented to the court.
A crowded street scene depicts a large group of individuals walking in various directions. Some are carrying backpacks, and some are wearing hats. A car is visible in the background, partially obscured by the crowd. The setting appears to be an urban environment with buildings lining the street.
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Members of the public moving out of the way of Paul Doyle's car on Dale Street(Image: PA)
The ex-Marine, who dramatically switched his plea to guilty on day two of his trial, also bowed his head and shut his eyes as the recording revealed his car striking groups of football fans. Victims who were present in the courtroom were also moved to tears as the clip was broadcast.
On Monday (December 15), before the video was screened, prosecutor Paul Greaney KC cautioned those at Liverpool Crown Court: "What we are about to display on the screens is truly shocking."
One especially heartbreaking scene captures Doyle yelling "f****** hell, move" as he struck a 10-year-old girl. The prosecutor described how the girl's father had attempted to pull his daughter to safety, but she was hit. He noted that she was "extremely fortunate to suffer only relatively minor physical injuries".
Mr Greaney informed the court: "The defendant carried on regardless down Water Street. Many police officers were in the area. If he had truly needed help, as opposed to simply being out of control ... all Paul Doyle needed to do was stop. But, instead of stopping, the defendant drove on, striking more and more people, causing more and more injury."
Mr Greaney further remarked: "The strong sense from the dashcam footage is that the defendant regarded himself as the most important person on Dale Street, and considered that everyone else needed to get out of his way so that he could get to where he wanted to get to."
Merseyside Police have now released additional CCTV material showing Doyle ploughing into the crowds, which contains harrowing dashcam audio documenting his verbal tirades throughout the attack.
The footage shows the Ford Galaxy Titanium weaving between pedestrians on Water Street, pausing momentarily before reversing aggressively into the gathering behind him, colliding with an ambulance during the chaos.
An illustrative depiction of individuals seated in a courtroom. The central figure, dressed formally, appears pensive, while others are attentively observing. The setting is characterized by muted tones and simple lines, focusing on the figures' postures and expressions.
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A tearful Paul Doyle, pictured in a court sketch wiping away tears as he was jailed for 21-and-a-half years(Image: PA)
One member of the public can be seen striking the car with their fist, whilst another delivers a kick to the vehicle.
The audio captures Doyle continuously blasting his horn whilst hurling abuse at those he targeted, bellowing profanities including: "move, "f****** pr****" and "move out the f****** way". In additional recordings, another individual can be heard yelling: "Get the f*** out of the car".
During sentencing, Judge Menary determined that Doyle's journey into Liverpool was "routinely dangerous", driven by nothing more than "impatience and arrogance". The judge detailed the severe physical and psychological consequences suffered by each victim, highlighting the continuing trauma that many continue to endure.
Judge Menary informed Doyle that "the truth" of events, as documented by both dashcam footage and numerous CCTV cameras, revealed that "you lost your temper" and attempted to bulldoze through the crowds, "regardless of the consequences".
He continued: "By you admission of guilt, you admit you intended to cause serious harm to achieve that end, even to children."
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Previously, criminologist and psychologist Alex Iszatt had suggested to the Mirror that the dashcam recordings might provide valuable insight into Doyle's mental state throughout the incident.
She said: "As a former Royal Marine, Paul may be living with PTSD, which can lower the threshold for anger and impulsive behaviour. As he became increasingly frustrated he felt trapped, his emotions overtook reasoning, leading to impulsive, catastrophic decisions. His lawyers may have persuaded him to change the plea on the evidence presented as the chances of acquittal or even a more favourable verdict as very slim."