Paul Doyle faces lengthy jail term as Liverpool parade crash sentencing looms
The 54 year old pleaded guilty to 31 charges, relating to 29 victims.
Paul Doyle, the man behind one of the most shocking incidents in recent Merseyside history, is due to learn his fate at Liverpool Crown Court as he's sentenced for deliberately driving his car into crowds during Liverpool FC’s Premier League victory parade.
The court hearing will take place over two days, due to the number of victims, with the sentence expected to be passed tomorrow by The Honorary Recorder of Liverpool, Judge Andrew Menary KC.
The 54 year old former Royal Marine from Croxteth had initially entered not guilty pleas to all 31 charges, before changing his pleas to guilty at the start of his trial on 26th November.
The charges include dangerous driving, affray, nine counts of causing grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent, 17 counts of attempting to cause GBH, and three counts of wounding with intent.
The 29 victims included on the indictment were aged between six months and 77 years old, with more than 130 people injured in total, during the seven-minute rampage along Dale Street and Water Street.
Prosecutors say Doyle "caused carnage" when he "lost his temper" and decided to use his car as a weapon to drive into people who were out celebrating.
Chief Crown Prosecutor Sarah Hammond said: “Driving a vehicle into a crowd is an act of calculated violence. This was not a momentary lapse, it was a choice he made that day and it turned celebration into mayhem.”
Judge Andrew Menary KC has already warned Doyle to prepare for a “custodial sentence of some length”, with legal experts suggesting a substantial term is inevitable given the severity of the offences and the scale of harm caused.
The incident occurred just minutes after Liverpool’s triumphant open-top bus parade passed through the city centre on 26th May 2025, leaving scenes reminiscent of terror attacks in Europe.
Victims included a six-month-old baby thrown from his pram and several people with life-changing injuries. Merseyside Police said it was “sheer luck” that no one was killed.
Liverpool FC issued a statement expressing hope that the upcoming sentencing will bring “some peace” to those affected, while emergency services were praised for their swift response on a day that should have been one of celebration.