Shocking At The Parade: Ex Marine Paul Doyle Admits Driving Into 100+ Liverpool Fans
Paul Doyle sobbed as he changed his plea on the second day of his trial, admitting to 31 offences after driving his Ford Galaxy into crowds at Liverpool’s Premier League victory parade on May 26.
The scene that had been one of celebration became a chaotic nightmare as eyewitness footage and dashcam clips showed him accelerating onto a closed route and ploughing into groups of supporters.
Prosecutors described the actions as an act of “calculated violence” that lasted around 7 minutes and left more than 100 people injured, including infants and elderly fans. Sentencing is expected next month and a substantial custodial term is widely anticipated.
What Happened At The Parade
On May 26, during Liverpool’s Premier League title parade managed by Arne Slott, Doyle drove a grey Ford Galaxy into a cordoned area where fans had gathered to celebrate. Multiple clips that circulated after the incident show a vehicle forcing its way into crowded streets near the team’s procession.
Emergency services and bystanders rushed to help those struck. Authorities initially treated the incident as a major criminal matter rather than terrorism and arrested Doyle at the scene.
The number of injured has varied by report, with mainstream outlets citing well over 100 people affected and dozens needing hospital treatment. Prosecutors later said dashcam footage indicated Doyle became increasingly agitated before deliberately driving into people.
Eyewitness testimony and CCTV played a key role in reconstructing the moments leading up to the crash. Several accounts described the vehicle mounting pavements and striking groups of fans, throwing people into the air and trapping others beneath the car.
One witness described lifting a child clear, while another recounted pulling a stranger from underneath the vehicle. Photos taken at the scene captured stunned crowds, bloodied clothing, and the rapid arrival of medical teams. Local hospitals reported receiving dozens of casualties in the immediate aftermath.
Evidence And Prosecutors Claims
Prosecutors told the court that footage from dashboards, CCTV, and mobile phones demonstrated intent. The Crown argued the act was not accidental and that the defendant targeted the crowd with reckless and dangerous disregard for life.
Senior Crown prosecutors used the phrase “calculated violence” to summarise the case against Doyle and asked the court to consider the gravity of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm to multiple victims. Defence filings and Doyle’s own statement in court showed remorse as he changed his pleas to guilty, with the defendant seen wiping tears during the hearing.
Police investigators also highlighted Doyle’s behaviour before the incident. Reports indicate he followed an ambulance onto a restricted route before the moment the vehicle struck fans.
That sequence is under close scrutiny as part of the broader inquiry into motive and premeditation. Detectives have confirmed that although terrorism was initially considered as a possibility by some observers on social media, the official line from Merseyside Police focused on criminal culpability and intent with the evidence at hand. Forensic and witness evidence will shape sentencing and any further criminal or civil consequences for Doyle.
Victims Reactions And The Wider Aftermath
The human toll is central to any coverage of the event. Victims ranged in age from 6 months to 77 years, and the emotional and physical repercussions have been profound. Several people required surgery and ongoing treatment, while others reported symptoms consistent with post-traumatic stress disorder, including flashbacks and anxiety at crowded events.
Local support groups and national charities mobilised quickly to offer counselling and practical help for those affected. Liverpool Football Club issued statements expressing sympathy and support while urging anyone who witnessed the event to come forward to assist the investigation.
Community response underscored the shock felt across Liverpool and beyond. Fans who had gathered to celebrate were left rattled, and debates began about event security, crowd control, and how such a route could be penetrated by a motor vehicle.
Local authorities launched reviews into emergency planning for public celebrations, and discussions are ongoing about bolstering vehicle restrictions at future parades. The immediate charitable and civic response aimed to prioritise victim care and ensure survivors and families had access to medical and psychological services.
What Comes Next
With Doyle’s change of plea, the trial phase that would have called jurors to examine contested evidence has been shortened. Sentencing is scheduled soon, and legal commentators expect a significant custodial sentence given the scale of harm and the number of offenses admitted.
Victims and family members are likely to apply for impact statements, which judges routinely consider when deciding on the length and conditions of custodial terms. Separate civil claims for damages may follow as affected people seek compensation for medical bills, lost earnings, and lasting impairment. Authorities have indicated they will continue to investigate whether any further charges or safeguards are necessary.
Police emphasised the importance of public cooperation and asked anyone with relevant footage or information to contact investigators. Legal teams for the prosecution and defence will also prepare the material that sentencing judges will use to reach a decision expected in December.
The case has already sparked policy conversations at the local government level about how to better protect large public gatherings without undermining the celebratory atmosphere that brings communities together. This incident has left deep scars on a city that prides itself on community and solidarity. The facts established in court show a chain of events that turned joy into horror.
