Man pleads guilty to driving into crowds at Liverpool parade

A man from West Derby has pleaded guilty to 31 counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, wounding with intent, attempting to cause GBH, dangerous driving and affray after driving into crowds attending Liverpool's victory parade.

Paul Doyle admitted 17 counts of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent, nine counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, three counts of wounding and one count each of dangerous driving and affray.

A jury had been sworn in for the trial on Tuesday, after he initially denied the charges. However, he changed his plea to guilty on Wednesday.

Thousands of fans were in the city to celebrate Liverpool's Premier League title. 

130 people were injured when Doyle drove his car into the crowds on Water Street on 26 May. The parade was coming to an end and supporters were beginning to head home.

Detective Chief Inspector John Fitzgerald said: “It is hard to forget the shocking scenes from that day.

“What should have been a day of celebration for the city turned into a distressing and frightening experience which we know continues to have a physical and psychological impact on many people.

“Thousands of people had gathered in the city to watch the Liverpool FC parade and it is only by sheer luck that nobody was killed because of Doyle’s reckless actions.

“His driving, even before he reached Dale Street, was aggressive and dangerous and he was seen to undertake vehicles, jump lanes and run through a red light."

It is believed Doyle was able to enter Water Street after a road block was temporarily lifted for an ambulance to attend to someone having a heart attack.

DCI Fitzgerald continued: “Doyle circumvented the traffic system put in place by the event managers, Liverpool City Council, and swore at fans before ploughing into them as they tried to make their way out of Dale Street and Water Street.

“In just seven minutes his dangerous driving meant that his car collided with more than 100 people, including children, in some cases trapping people underneath and causing serious injuries.

"The exceptional work of the emergency services including police, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, the North West Ambulance Service, St John's Ambulance and HM Coastguard should be recognised as they came to the aid of victims, extracting four people from underneath Doyle’s car and treating a number of others."

Doyle has been remanded in custody to be sentenced on 15 and 16 December.