A 54-year-old man from the United Kingdom has admitted his guilt in a terrifying incident where he deliberately drove his car into a massive crowd during a Liverpool Football Club victory celebration.
The Day Celebration Turned into Chaos
On May 26, 2025, the streets of Liverpool were filled with thousands of joyous fans celebrating their team's success during the end-of-season parade. The atmosphere, however, turned from festive to frightening when Paul Doyle drove his two-ton Ford Galaxy Titanium straight into the tightly packed spectators.
The crash resulted in injuries to 130 people, including a 6-month-old baby. Eyewitness videos from the scene showed horrified bystanders waving their arms and screaming, trying to stop the vehicle as it pushed deeper into the crowd. People scrambled to pull others to safety amidst the chaos.
A Deliberate Act in Court
This week, during his trial at a Liverpool court, Paul Doyle changed his plea to guilty on the second day of proceedings. Police and prosecutors stated that this was not an accidental loss of control. They argued that Doyle became "agitated by the crowds" and made a conscious decision to drive into the fans.
He pleaded guilty to a total of 29 serious charges, which cover every injured victim. The charges include:
- 17 counts of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent
- 9 counts of causing GBH with intent
- 3 counts of wounding with intent
While in court, Doyle was seen looking down and crying as the charges were read aloud against him.
Aftermath and Official Reactions
Sarah Hammond, the chief crown prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service, was unequivocal in her assessment. She stated in court, "This was not a simple slip. This was a choice he made, and it turned joy into mayhem." The judge directly informed Doyle that he should prepare for a lengthy prison sentence.
Following the guilty plea on Wednesday, Liverpool FC released an official statement expressing hope that this development brings some peace to the victims. The club also extended its gratitude to the emergency response teams who provided critical aid minutes after the crash occurred.
For the families present that day, the trauma remains fresh. One mother, who was at the parade with her child, shared, "We came to cheer for the team, but we left shaking." The sentencing date will be announced by the police once it is finalized by the court.
