A neighbor of Paul Doyle, the 53-year-old West Derby resident who has been charged following the major incident that unfolded shortly after the Liverpool FC title parade, has outlined their shock at the identity of the suspect.
"I came out late on Monday night and there's police everywhere. Looking around all the houses, so I had a thought — imagine if it was him?" the neighbor told the BBC.
"I thought it was him, but I didn't believe that it was. I see him all the time walking up and down with his two sons and his dog. He's just a normal person."
A second neighbor said that Doyle is "just a nice fella". He is described as a local businessman and father of three who was previously in the Royal Marines, with the police investigation continuing ahead of Doyle appearing in court on Friday for an initial hearing.
Sarah Hammond, Chief Crown Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service Mersey-Cheshire said: "The defendant will appear before Liverpool Magistrates’ Court on Friday 30 May, 2025.
"The investigation is at an early stage. Prosecutors and police are continuing to work at pace to review a huge volume of evidence. This includes multiple pieces of video footage and numerous witness statements.
(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)
"It is important to ensure every victim gets the justice they deserve. The charges will be kept under review as the investigation progresses.
"We know Monday’s shocking scenes reverberated around the city of Liverpool, and the entire country, on what should have been a day of celebration for hundreds of thousands of Liverpool FC supporters. Our thoughts remain with all those affected.
"Criminal proceedings against the defendant are active and he has the right to a fair trial. It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information or media online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.
"Please allow the legal process to take its course without undue speculation."
Police at the scene on Water Street.
(Image: Paul ELLIS / AFP)
"As you have heard from our CPS colleagues, the man arrested by Merseyside Police following the incident on Water Street has now been charged with seven serious offences," Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims of Merseyside Police said.
"Paul Desmond Sanders Doyle, 53 years, of Burghill Road, West Derby has this afternoon been charged with two counts of unlawful and malicious wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm; two counts of causing unlawful and malicious grievous bodily harm with intent to cause grievous bodily harm; two counts of attempted unlawful and malicious grievous bodily harm with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, all contrary to Section 18 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.
"He has been charged with one count of dangerous driving contrary to Section 2 of the Road Traffic Act 1988. Doyle has been remanded into custody and will appear at Liverpool Magistrates Court in the morning."