In a dramatic courtroom reversal, a British man has confessed to intentionally driving his vehicle into crowds during Liverpool Football Club's Premier League victory celebration earlier this year.
Courtroom Drama Unfolds
Paul Doyle, who had previously denied all charges, broke down in tears as he changed his plea to guilty on Wednesday. The defendant, dressed in a suit and glasses, sobbed in the dock while admitting to all 31 counts against him.
The charges include causing grievous bodily harm with intent, wounding with intent, affray and dangerous driving during the May 26 incident in Liverpool city centre.
Judge Andrew Menary delivered a stern warning to Doyle, telling him to prepare for "a custodial sentence of some length." The sentencing hearing has been scheduled to take place over two days starting December 15.
Details of the Attack Emerge
The shocking incident occurred on May 26 as thousands of fans celebrated Liverpool FC's record-equalling 20th English top-flight title. The team had paraded the Premier League trophy along the city's waterfront just one day after the season concluded.
According to Merseyside Police evidence, Doyle deliberately ploughed his Ford Galaxy Titanium into scores of people as they were leaving the victory parade. The attack resulted in injuries to 134 individuals, including infants, children and adults.
While there were no fatalities, the severity of the incident was underscored by the fact that 50 people required hospital treatment for their injuries.
Prosecution Presents Damning Evidence
Sarah Hammond, the Crown Prosecution Service's top regional prosecutor, revealed that dashcam footage from Doyle's vehicle showed him becoming "increasingly agitated by the crowds" before making the conscious decision to drive into them.
"Rather than wait for them to pass, he deliberately drove at them, forcing his way through," Hammond stated. She emphasized that "this was not a momentary lapse by Paul Doyle — it was a choice he made that day."
The criminal charges specifically relate to 29 victims, including eight children. The youngest victim was just six months old at the time of the attack.
Doyle, a father-of-three from a Liverpool suburb and reportedly a former Royal Marine, has been in custody since his arrest. What began as seven initial charges expanded to 31 counts by August as more evidence came to light.
Authorities have confirmed that the incident was not terrorism-related, though the exact motivations behind the attack remain unclear as the case moves toward sentencing.
