Liverpool Football Club has issued a statement following Paul Doyle’s admission of guilt to all 31 charges against him. Doyle drove into a crowd of Liverpool fans on May 26 during the club’s Premier League victory celebration. The 54-year-old confessed to dangerous driving, affray, and multiple counts of causing harm with intent, affecting victims ranging from six months to 77 years old.
Liverpool expressed their sentiments, acknowledging the joyous celebration that turned tragic due to Doyle’s actions. The club extended gratitude to the emergency services, partner agencies, and the public for their courageous response during the incident. Doyle, a former Royal Marine, altered his plea midway through the trial and is set to be sentenced in December.
Prosecutors characterized Doyle’s actions as premeditated violence, emphasizing the potential harm caused to the crowd. The court heard that dashcam footage depicted Doyle’s deliberate act of driving into the celebratory crowd, disrupting the parade atmosphere. Judge Andrew Menary KC hinted at an impending custodial sentence for Doyle.
Detective Chief Inspector John Fitzgerald of Merseyside Police highlighted the severity of the situation, noting the fortunate outcome despite the significant number of people injured by Doyle’s reckless driving. Liverpool fans await justice for the victims as the legal process unfolds.