A driver who injured more than 130 people by crashing his minivan into a crowd of Liverpool fans on May 26 was handed a sentence of more than 21 years in prison.
The May 26 Incident
On the evening of May 26, Paul Doyle drove his minivan through a sea of supporters celebrating Liverpool’s Premier League title. Within two minutes the vehicle rolled over people, crushed prams, and left a trail of bodies and broken limbs.
Courtroom Drama
Judge Andrew Menary told Doyle in Liverpool Crown Court that he had “plowed on at speed and over a considerable distance, violently knocking people aside or simply driving over them, person after person after person.” The judge’s words echoed the graphic footage shown during the hearing.
Victims’ Stories
Victims ranged from a 6-month-old boy whose mother was struck to a 77-year-old woman who was pinned under the car. A 16-year-old boy was left with nightmares that ruined his apprenticeship, while a 23-year-old man had to relearn how to walk.
Prosecutorial Case
Prosecutors described Doyle as a man in a fury, unable to reach a line of grid-locked cars to pick up friends. They presented video footage from the driver’s dashboard camera and read emotional statements from dozens of injured parties.
Doyle’s Perspective
Doyle claimed he panicked as the crowd pounded on his vehicle, shattering a window and trying to pull him out. He said the attack was not intentional, but the judge dismissed this as “demonstrably untrue.”
Defense Arguments
Defense lawyer Simon Csoka highlighted Doyle’s troubled youth, discharge from the Royal Marines, and past convictions, including biting a sailor’s ear off. Csoka argued Doyle had turned his life around, earned a university degree, and raised three children.
Heroic Bystander
Daniel Barr, an army veteran and construction worker, jumped into the minivan when it stalled and forced it into park. He released Doyle’s seatbelt buckle and prevented further carnage.
Sentencing Details
Doyle pleaded guilty last month to 31 counts, including dangerous driving and multiple counts of attempting or causing grievous bodily harm. The judge sentenced him to 21 years and 4 months in prison.
High Sheriff’s Award
After sentencing, Judge Menary awarded Barr the High Sheriff’s Award for Bravery. Barr received praise from police and Prime Minister Keir Starmer for his quick action.
Judge’s Verdict
Judge Menary rejected Doyle’s panic defense, describing the incident as “demonstrably untrue” because Doyle was the one attacking the crowd. He noted that Doyle’s vehicle was a two-tonne, 4,400-pound minivan.
Aftermath and Reactions
Sgt. Dan Hamilton of Merseyside Police, who was injured, described the noise as “sickening” and the memory of bodies being thrown into the air as “impossible to forget.”
Key Takeaways
- Paul Doyle received a 21-year sentence for driving a minivan through a crowd of Liverpool fans.
- The incident injured over 130 people, ranging from infants to elderly.
- Daniel Barr’s intervention earned him the High Sheriff’s Award for Bravery.
The case underscores the severe consequences of reckless driving and the bravery of ordinary citizens who act in moments of crisis.
