Paul Doyle was charged with multiple offences - six relating to grievous bodily harm - by Merseyside Police and is now set to appear in front of Liverpool Magistrate's Court tomorrow
07:29, 30 May 2025Updated 07:29, 30 May 2025
Paul Doyle
Paul Doyle was arrested on Monday
Merseyside Police today (May 29) named Paul Doyle as the suspect who allegedly drove a car into a packed street of Liverpool fans.
West Derby man Doyle, 53, was arrested following Monday’s horror crash where 79 people were injured and dozens rushed to hospital, including four children.
Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims, speaking at a press conference this afternoon, said: “Paul Desmond Sanders Doyle 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.”
Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims
Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims read out Doyle's charges(Image: PA)
Sims added Doyle is “also being charged with one count of dangerous driving. Doyle has been remanded into custody and he will appear at Liverpool magistrate's court in the morning."
With an emphasis on the fact that Doyle has only been charged – and has not been found guilty of the offences – research carried out by the Daily Star has estimated a rough figure of how long he might spend in jail if he was found guilty after a trial.
Despite Doyle having six charges relating to grievous bodily harm, according to experts Sentencing Council, courts rarely add up all of the sentence-lengths for each individual offence.
police officers at the scene of aftermath on Water Street in Liverpool
Police officers at the scene of aftermath on Water Street in Liverpool(Image: SWNS)
According to Criminal and Regulatory lawyer firm Burton Copeland, the average sentence for the offence of grievous bodily harm – Doyle’s most serious charge – could be anywhere from between three years and life imprisonment, depending on how serious the offence is considered to be.
Hypothetically then, an estimate of how long Doyle might spend behind bars could carry one life sentence despite him facing multiple counts of grievous bodily harm, which carry a maximum sentence of life imprisonment and an offence range of two – 16 years’ custody, according to the Sentencing Council.
Doyle was arrested at the scene on Water Street on Monday on the suspicion of attempted murder, driving while unfit through drugs, and dangerous driving.
police
The incident triggered a huge emergency response(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Article continues below
Detectives applied for an extension to how long he could be held in custody for questioning, which was granted on Tuesday.
But that ran out on Thursday, meaning they had to either bring charges, release him, or apply for a further extension.
Police said on Tuesday that 79 people were injured following the crash, with 50 people taken to hospital. In a further update issued on Wednesday, a spokesman said seven people remained in hospital in a stable condition.