Driver That Drove Through LFC Parade Was ‘In a Rage’, Trial Told.
A former Royal Marines Commando was a “man in a rage” when he drove into dozens of LFC supporters at a championship celebration, in what many feared was a act of terrorism, a court has heard.
“The footage was deeply disturbing.”
Victims in the incident wept while video from the car’s camera depicted people being thrown into the air while he sped towards the gathering while screaming: “Fucking hell, move!”
Doyle, 54, is due to be sentenced on Tuesday after pleading guilty on the first day of his trial last month to 31 offences against 29 victims, including eight minors.
‘A Man in a Rage’
Prosecutors warned the court that the video evidence from the defendant’s two-tonne Ford Galaxy was “truly shocking”. The recording revealed the parent yelling “fucking pricks” as well as “fucking move” while he headed straight for hundreds of fans, some pulling children out of the way as he blasted the horn.
It was stated in court that Doyle acted as a “man in a rage whose anger had completely taken hold of him” as he continued driving into the mass of people, accelerating while individuals were struck by his vehicle.
Scale of the Carnage
Overall, the former Royal Marine hurt 134 individuals in just seven minutes – including more than 50 who needed hospital treatment. A six-month-old boy was “miraculously” unharmed despite being left splayed on the road when Doyle’s car hit his pram, the court heard.
One fan, a man named in court, was seen being launched into the air by the car, sustaining a cut to the back of his head, broken ribs and numerous scrapes.
The defendant could be heard shouting “for God’s sake move! Get out my fucking way!” before ploughing further into panicked fans, including an elderly woman and children who became trapped beneath the vehicle.
Celebration Descends into Chaos
Speaking to a full court, the prosecution said about 1 million people were present at “an event they believed to be a day of joyfulness” to celebrate the football club’s championship win. Scenes of jubilation turned to “horror”, it was said, as Doyle drove into oncoming fans while trying to collect a companion from the parade route.
“Some at the scene believed what was taking place constituted a terrorist incident.”
Rampage Halted by Heroic Act
With injured people on the street, Doyle’s rampage was stopped by a former soldier, Dan Barr, who entered the back of the car and held the car’s gear selector in “park”. Even then, Doyle kept his foot on the accelerator, the court heard.
In his police interview, the defendant claimed he acted in a “state of sheer panic” because he feared for his life. Yet, the prosecution argued that the dashcam footage demonstrated Doyle “simply lost control in his determination to reach his destination”. The prosecutor added: “In a rage, he targeted the crowd and as he did so he intended to cause them serious harm.”
Dangerous Driving Prior to Incident
The video indicated Doyle was driving recklessly prior to entering downtown, undertaking cars at speed and running red lights. He ignored traffic diversion measures and bypassed other cars, even emergency service vehicles, as he approached the packed streets.
The defendant is expected to receive a jail term of over a decade when he is sentenced on Tuesday.
