Liverpool Victory Parade Crash Suspect Faces 24 New Charges
A man accused of deliberately driving into a crowd during Liverpool’s Premier League victory parade now faces 24 additional charges, including attempting to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH) to two babies.
Paul Doyle, 53, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court via video link from prison, becoming emotional as he confirmed his identity. He had been expected to enter pleas to the original seven charges relating to the incident in May, but prosecutors have now expanded the indictment to 31 counts in total.
The court heard that the new charges include 17 counts of attempting to cause GBH with intent, five counts of causing GBH with intent, one of wounding with intent, and one count of affray. Twenty-three of the fresh charges relate directly to victims’ injuries, five of whom are children aged between six months and 17 years.
More than 130 people were injured on 26 May when a Ford Galaxy ploughed into a crowd on Water Street in Liverpool city centre. Prosecutors allege Doyle, of West Derby, used the car “as a weapon” to strike people leaving the parade.
Defence barrister Simon Csoka KC told the court his client had only just been made aware of the new charges and had not had time to review witness statements. He also noted Doyle’s ongoing application for a prison laptop to view CCTV and other evidence, which has been pending for two months.
During the hearing, Doyle appeared in a plain grey T-shirt, sitting at a desk with glasses, notepads, and books in front of him, wiping away tears as proceedings continued. Family members of those injured watched from the public gallery.
Judge Andrew Menary KC granted more time for the defence, stating:
“These are serious matters and not uncomplicated, and there are practical difficulties in accessing the defendant.”
The case was adjourned until 4 September.
At an earlier hearing, prosecutors claimed Doyle deliberately drove at people in the crowd, with six assault charges representing the most seriously injured. Originally, he faced one count of dangerous driving, four counts of GBH with intent, one of attempted GBH with intent, and one of wounding with intent.