Executive Summary
- Paul Doyle pleaded guilty to 31 offenses, including causing grievous bodily harm with intent, for driving into a crowd in Liverpool.
- Prosecutors argued Doyle acted out of rage and used his vehicle as a weapon against pedestrians.
- A bystander, Daniel Barr, was commended for jumping into the moving car to stop the attack.
- Doyle claimed he had “ruined his family’s life” while being arrested at the scene.
Paul Doyle, 54, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court for a sentencing hearing regarding a vehicular attack on crowds celebrating a Premier League title win, where prosecutors alleged he used his car as a weapon in a fit of rage. Doyle, who has pleaded guilty to 31 offenses including dangerous driving and causing grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent, reportedly told arresting officers he had “ruined” his family’s life following the incident in May.
According to court proceedings led by prosecutor Paul Greaney KC, Doyle drove his Ford Galaxy, weighing nearly two tons, into more than 100 people gathered on Water Street and Dale Street. The prosecution stated that Doyle’s actions were driven by anger rather than panic, asserting that he was “prepared to cause those in the crowd, even children, serious harm if necessary to achieve his aim of getting through.” Dashcam footage presented to the court captured the defendant shouting expletives at pedestrians shortly before the collision.
The court heard that the rampage was brought to a halt by the intervention of a bystander, Daniel Barr. Prosecutors described Barr as a “hero” who bravely jumped into the moving vehicle and shifted it into park. Barr testified that he witnessed the crowd’s demeanor shift from “joyful to desperate” as the vehicle struck pedestrians. The incident resulted in injuries to 29 identified victims, ranging in age from six months to 77 years, including a six-month-old infant thrown from a pram.
During the hearing, Doyle reportedly wept as footage of the crash was displayed. While Doyle initially claimed in police interviews that he acted out of fear for his safety, prosecutors argued that video evidence showing police officers in the vicinity meant Doyle had ample opportunity to seek protection rather than driving through the crowd. Following his arrest, Doyle admitted to the charges, which include 17 counts of attempting to cause GBH with intent and nine counts of causing GBH with intent.
Judicial Sentencing Overview
This case highlights the severe legal distinctions drawn between dangerous driving and the weaponization of a vehicle. By pleading guilty to charges of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, the defendant faces significantly stricter sentencing guidelines than those associated with standard traffic offenses. In the United Kingdom, the use of a vehicle to intentionally inflict harm elevates the classification of the crime, allowing the judiciary to impose lengthy custodial sentences that reflect the potential for mass casualties and the breach of public safety during large-scale community events.
