A former Royal Marine commando has been handed a lengthy prison sentence for a horrifying attack during a football victory celebration. Paul Doyle, 54, was sentenced to 21 and a half years in prison for deliberately driving his car into crowds gathered for Liverpool FC's Premier League trophy parade.
A Day of Celebration Turns to Terror
The incident occurred on May 26, as thousands of fans lined the streets of Liverpool to celebrate their team's success. Instead of joy, the day descended into chaos and horror when Doyle used his Ford Galaxy as a weapon. The court heard that he repeatedly accelerated into the packed crowd, with supporters being struck head-on, thrown onto the bonnet, and in some tragic cases, trapped under the moving vehicle.
Prosecutor Paul Greaney KC presented a harrowing account to the court. At least 134 people were injured, including very young children and babies. One of the most chilling moments involved a pram being hit, which sent baby Teddy Eveson flying an estimated 15 feet. Remarkably, the infant was not physically injured. His parents, Sheree Aldridge and Dan Eveson, had dressed him in a Liverpool shirt for the occasion. Aldridge later described the trauma of believing her son had died and fearing for her own survival.
Rejection of Defence and Capture
Judge Andrew Menary KC described the footage of the attack as "truly shocking" and dismissed any notion that it was a brief lapse in judgment. He stated the actions were driven by rage. Prosecutors confirmed the act was not terrorism, the car was not faulty, and Doyle was sober at the time.
Doyle had claimed he panicked after being attacked and having his windows broken, but the prosecution firmly rejected this account. "That is untrue," stated Greaney. Dashcam video from the vehicle was described as especially disturbing, with Doyle reportedly heard shouting "get out the f****** way" as he struck people. The seven-minute rampage only ended when a brave member of the public, Daniel Barr, entered the moving vehicle and managed to put it into park.
Lasting Trauma and Legal Reckoning
Doyle later pleaded guilty to 31 charges, including dangerous driving, affray, and multiple counts of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent. The impact on the victims extends far beyond the physical injuries sustained on that day.
Victim impact statements detailed lasting physical disabilities and deep psychological trauma. Many survivors spoke of their fear of dying during the attack, their ongoing struggles with pain, and an inability to cope in crowded spaces since. One responding police officer described it as the most traumatic incident of her entire career.
Following his arrest, Doyle was recorded on police bodycam lamenting, "I've just ruined my family's life." His sentence of 21 and a half years reflects the severity of using a vehicle as a weapon to attack a crowd gathered for what should have been a purely joyful event.
