Liverpool release statement after Paul Doyle pleads guilty to parade crash charges | OneFootball

Paul Doyle has admitted all 31 offences, which relate to 29 victims aged between six months and 77 years

Liverpool Football Club have released a statement after Paul Doyle pleaded guilty to driving his car into more than 100 fans at the club's Premier League title celebrations in May.

In a surprise move at Liverpool Crown Court on Wednesday, the day his trial was due to begin, 54-year-old Doyle pleaded guilty to all 31 offences against him. Doyle had the previous day, denied the offences, which relate to 29 victims aged between six months and 77.

Merseyside Police said Doyle's seven minutes of dangerous driving on May 26 led to his car colliding with 100 men, women and children, causing serious injuries and trapping people underneath his Ford Galaxy Titanium, and it was only by "sheer luck" no one was killed.

Liverpool said in a statement: "Our victory parade last May allowed an unprecedented number of Liverpool fans to celebrate together our Premier League title win - something we were unable to do in 2020.

"The day of incredible joy ended in unimaginable circumstances and we hope today's conviction brings some peace to all those affected by the horrific incident. Our thoughts are with them all.

"We would like to thank our emergency services and partner agencies - Merseyside Police, North West and St John Ambulance Services, Merseyside Fire & Rescue - and members of the public, who responded with such bravery and compassion on the day. Their actions undoubtedly saved lives and exemplified the spirit of our city."

Paul Doyle carried out an act of "calculated violence", prosecutors said.

The 54-year-old sobbed in court when he changed his pleas to admit 31 offences on Wednesday, as his trial was about to be opened to a jury.

Court artist sketch

Elizabeth Cook/PA Wire

It is understood the prosecution case would have been that Doyle lost his temper as he drove down Dale Street and into Water Street as crowds left the waterfront to make their way home from the parade.

He was in the city to collect a friend and his family from the celebrations, it is understood.

Chief Crown prosecutor Sarah Hammond said: "By entering guilty pleas, Doyle has finally accepted that he intentionally drove into crowds of innocent people during Liverpool FC's victory parade.

"Dashcam footage from Doyle's vehicle shows that as he approached Dale Street and Water Street, he became increasingly agitated by the crowds. Rather than wait for them to pass, he deliberately drove at them, forcing his way through.

"Driving a vehicle into a crowd is an act of calculated violence. This was not a momentary lapse by Paul Doyle - it was a choice he made that day and it turned celebration into mayhem."

Merseyside Police Detective Chief Inspector John Fitzgerald said: "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.

"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."

Sending Doyle down from the dock after a 25-minute hearing, Recorder of Liverpool Judge Andrew Menary KC said: "It is inevitable there will be a custodial sentence of some length and you should prepare yourself for that inevitability.

Additional reporting by Press Association.