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Paul Doyle breaks down in tears and pleads guilty at Liverpool parade crash trial

Paul Doyle, 54, has burst into tears in at Liverpool Crown Court this morning after pleading guilty in a shocking twist as charges were put to him

Liverpool parade crash driver Paul Doyle has pleaded guilty to charges in court today. In a dramatic twist, jurors sworn in yesterday (November 25) were discharged before opening speeches were set to go ahead this morning.

The 54-year-old of Croxteth, Liverpool, took off his glasses, bowed his head and sobbed as he pleaded guilty to a number of charges put to him after being rearraigned at Liverpool Crown Court.

He admitted driving his car into throngs of supporters during Liverpool FC's Premier League title celebrations in the heart of Liverpool city centre. Over 100 pedestrians, including children and a 77-year-old woman, were injured after being hit by a Ford Galaxy on Water Street just after 6pm on 26 May this year, with 50 individuals needing hospital care.

[Paul Doyle pleaded guilty]

Paul Doyle pleaded guilty(Image: Liverpool Police)

He pleaded guilty to charges including dangerous driving, affray, 17 charges of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent, nine counts of causing GBH with intent and three counts of wounding with intent.

The youngest victim was six-month-old Teddy Eveson, whose parents later told media he was thrown about 15 feet down the road in his pram when the crash happened.

Doyle admitted attempting to cause grievous bodily harm to the baby. Five other children, who Doyle is alleged to have either injured or attempted to injure, cannot be named for legal reasons.

[He sobbed in court as he admitted charges put to him]

He sobbed in court as he admitted charges put to him(Image: PA)

The defendant, reportedly a former Royal Marine, was supported in court by family members.

In May, Merseyside Police said they believed the driver had followed an ambulance onto Water Street after a road block was temporarily lifted for crews to attend to a person having a heart attack.

Sarah Hammond, chief crown prosecutor for CPS Mersey-Cheshire, said: Todays convictions bring a measure of justice for an act that caused unimaginable harm during what should have been a day of celebration for the city of Liverpool.

[Many were hurt after Doyle ploghed his car into fans]

Many were hurt after Doyle ploghed his car into fans

Paul Doyle has been held responsible for his deliberate actions that endangered lives and brought chaos upon a community. A total of 134 people were injured, including children as young as six months. This attack did not just harm individuals it struck at the heart of a city united in joy, leaving fear in its wake.

By entering guilty pleas, Doyle has finally accepted that he intentionally drove into crowds of innocent people during Liverpool FCs victory parade.

Dashcam footage from Doyles 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.

[Police officers at the scene]

Police officers at the scene(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

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.

I would like to commend the bravery of emergency services who acted swiftly at the scene. There can be no doubt that their actions saved lives.

"Liverpool as a city has shown resilience and unity in the face of this awful act, and I hope the victims, their families and anyone affected will feel justice has been done."

[The incident happened as fan's celebrated Liverpool's victory parade]

The incident happened as fan's celebrated Liverpool's victory parade(Image: Getty Images)

The Recorder of Liverpool Andrew Menary KC told Doyle it was inevitable he would be facing a custodial sentence of some length following his change of pleas.

A sentencing date was set for December 15 at the same court.

Following Doyles change to guilty pleas, Merseyside Police Detective Chief Inspector John Fitzgerald said: It is hard to forget the shocking scenes from that day.

[Victims were aged six months to 77 years]

Victims were aged six months to 77 years(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

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 Doyles 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.

He continued: We know that a lot of people are still recovering from the injuries they suffered on that day and our thoughts remain with them and those that continue to be affected.

We hope that the knowledge Doyle is now facing a considerable prison sentence will be able to help those affected to move on with their lives.

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