The former Royal Marine accused of "using his vehicle as a weapon" to deliberately mow down a crowd of football fans during Liverpool FC's title celebrations will stand trial later this year.
Paul Doyle, 53, faces charges including wounding with intent, causing grievous bodily harm and dangerous driving after 79 people were injured on Monday. Seven people remain in hospital.
He wore a black suit, white shirt and grey tie as he sat in the glass-fronted dock in Liverpool Crown Court shortly after 12.30pm, his second court appearance of the day. In a croaky voice, he spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth.
The court heard a trial could last three to four weeks and a provisional date of November 24 was set. Philip Astbury, prosecuting, told the court: "This is very much an ongoing investigation. Many witnesses are still to be interviewed and a great deal of CCTV still to be analysed."
Doyle will stand trial in November
Doyle will stand trial in November
Doyle will appear before the court again for a plea and trial preparation hearing on August 14. Defence barrister Damian Nolan confirmed there would be no application for bail on Doyle’s behalf.
Recorder of Liverpool Andrew Menary KC told Doyle: “I am going to adjourn this matter now. The next hearing so far as you are concerned is a plea and trial preparation hearing on the 14th of August. The purpose of that hearing will be to enter your pleas to the indictment.”
Doyle nodded as he was told he will be remanded into custody until this date and he was led to the cells by two dock officers.
Doyle during his appearance at court
Doyle during his appearance at court (Image: PA)
About 25 journalists were in court for the hearing, along with police officers and legal representatives. None of Doyle's family or friends chose to attend court. He stood with his head down as the charges we read to him.
Earlier on Friday, the father-of-three appeared ashen-faced in the dock of Liverpool Magistrates Court where charges were first put to him. That hearing he'd "drove "deliberately at the crowd" and "used his vehicle as a weapon" during the Bank Holiday horror.
He was arrested on Monday after 79 people were injured when a car drove into supporters on Water Street in Liverpool at around 6pm on Monday. Seven remain in hospital, Merseyside Police said when they announced his charges on Thursday.
Doyle appeared before court twice on Friday
Doyle appeared before court twice on Friday
He is accused of two counts of wounding with intent, two counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, two counts of attempted grievous bodily harm with intent and one count of dangerous driving.
The charges relate to six victims, including two children. Reporting restrictions preventing the victims from being identified were made by the judge.
On Thursday, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said the charges against Doyle, who is reportedly an ex-Royal Marine, would be kept “under review as the investigation progresses”.
Emergency services at the scene of the horror
Emergency services at the scene of the horror (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Chief crown prosecutor for CPS Mersey-Cheshire, Sarah Hammond, said: “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. It is important to ensure every victim gets the justice they deserve.”
The ages of those injured ranges from nine to 78 and seven people remained in hospital on Thursday, Merseyside Police said.
The force previously said they believed the car that struck pedestrians was able to follow an ambulance crew attending to someone suffering a heart attack after a road block during Liverpool FC’s celebrations was temporarily lifted.
For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletter by clicking here .