Liverpool Parade Car Attack – Paul Doyle Admits Guilt

A packed Liverpool street erupted into chaos as witnesses screamed & families fled after the shocking moment a car ploughed into crowds during the city parade. Driver Paul Doyle admits all charges.

Former Royal Marine Paul Doyle has admitted driving a Ford Galaxy into crowds during Liverpool FC’s victory parade after pleading guilty to all 31 charges at Liverpool Crown Court. Doyle, 54, of Burghill Road, West Derby, had earlier denied the offences. More than 100 people were injured in the collision on Water Street on 26 May, with 50 requiring hospital treatment.

Doyle was rearraigned before the prosecution case opened and pleaded guilty to all charges, which included:

The indictment named children as young as six months and numerous adult victims. Doyle will be sentenced at a later date.

Read more: Parade car attacker jailed for 21 years 6 months

He had previously indicated not guilty pleas at an earlier plea and trial preparation hearing, and a jury was discharged after his decision to admit the offences. The prosecution case had been set to open with evidence including dashcam footage allegedly showing Doyle driving towards spectators as crowds moved through Liverpool city centre following the club’s trophy parade.

Prosecutor Philip Astbury had earlier told the court Doyle “drove deliberately at the crowd” and “used his vehicle as a weapon”, allegations now admitted. The pleas follow an investigation that involved multiple witness statements, CCTV and video recordings, forensic and collision analysis and interviews with injured parties.

Sarah Hammond, Chief Crown Prosecutor for Mersey-Cheshire, said Doyle has accepted responsibility for an act of calculated violence that caused serious injury to 134 people. She said the defendant has now admitted he intentionally drove into members of the public during the football parade. Doyle was remanded in custody and will return to Liverpool Crown Court for sentencing.