The man accused of causing the Liverpool victory parade crash has pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and affray. Paul Doyle, 54, was accused of driving his Ford Galaxy into crowds of football fans gathered in Liverpool city centre on May 26. In court today, Doyle changed his plea to guilty, admitting nine counts of grievous bodily harm with intent. He maintained he is not guilty of two counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, one of wounding with intent, and one of attempting GBH with intent. He has been remanded in custody ahead of his sentencing, scheduled to begin on December 15.
Doyle had previously denied the offences, all connected to the incident that unfolded as crowds celebrated Liverpool’s Premier League title win. The former Royal Marine commando wiped away tears as the judge told him he could sit after entering the plea. On Monday, November 24, he was charged with 31 offences, including assault involving a six-month-old and a seven-month-old. In total, he faced 17 counts of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent, nine counts of causing GBH with intent, three counts of wounding with intent, as well as affray and dangerous driving.
More than 130 people reported injuries after Doyle drove his Ford Galaxy Titanium into crowds on Water Street shortly after 6 p.m. on May 26. Liverpool Football Club were celebrating their second Premier League title, with the team bus having travelled down The Strand before the incident. Supporters had begun leaving the parade route when the crash occurred.
In May, Merseyside Police said they believed the driver had followed an ambulance onto Water Street after a roadblock was temporarily lifted to allow emergency responders to reach a person having a heart attack. Doyle was arrested at the scene and charged later that week. The charges relate to 29 victims aged between six months and 77 years old.
The youngest alleged victim was Teddy Eveson, whose parents told reporters that he was thrown about 15 feet down the road in his pram during the crash. Doyle, of Croxteth, Liverpool, admitted attempting to cause grievous bodily harm to the baby. Five other children he is alleged to have injured or attempted to injure cannot be named for legal reasons.
