Former Royal Marine Paul Doyle held back tears in court after he was accused of driving a Ford Galaxy into fans celebrating Liverpool FC’s victory parade on Monday evening.
Doyle, 53, wore a black suit, white shirt and grey tie, and spoke with a croaky voice to confirm his name and address at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court this morning.
He is accused of seven offences including two counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and two counts of wounding with intent after 79 people were injured.
Prosecutor Philip Astbury said the suspect had “used his vehicle deliberately as a weapon to injure those individuals”.
The father-of-three was also charged with attempted grievous bodily harm and one count of dangerous driving.
The case went to Liverpool Crown Court, where the next hearing, on 14 August, is due to be a plea and case-management hearing.
He showed no reaction as he was remanded in custody and led out of the dock by security guards. A provisional trial date was fixed for 24 November.
There was a heavy police presence outside the court, which is just a few minutes’ walk from the scene of the tragedy. At least 50 people queued to get inside the courtroom.
Key points
- Paul Doyle 'visibly shaken' in Liverpool Crown Court dock
- ‘You can’t help feel emotion’: Hero firefighter tells of chaos at disaster scene
- Former Royal Marine Paul Doyle holds back tears in court
- Dates of next court appearances given
- Court sketch of suspect, 53, as he keeps head down
Next hearing in August, says judge
22:32 , Alex CroftConcluding the hearing earlier on Friday, Judge Menary told Paul Doyle he is adjourning the case until next week to deal with an application for reporting restrictions.
He says the next hearing will be a plea and case management hearing on 14 August, with the "purpose of the hearing for you to enter pleas to the indictment".
A date has been set for a trial, if required, Judge Menary says. This would be on 24 November.
The judge remands Doyle in custody until the next hearing. Doyle shows no reaction as he walks out of the dock, followed by two security guards.
Paul Doyle 'visibly shaken' in Liverpool Crown Court
22:05 , Alex CroftFormer marine Paul Doyle looked “visibly shaken” as he was led into the dock at Liverpool Crown Court, Alex Ross reported earlier on Friday.
Faced with seven charges relating to the crash at the Liverpool parade, that left 79 people injured, he confirms his age and date of birth.
Flanked by two security guards, Doyle then sits down. He glances around the court, looking over at the section of the room taken by the press. He looks visibly shaken and tired.
Report: Man charged after car driven into crowds at Liverpool FC victory parade
21:38 , Alex CroftA man has been charged with multiple offences after a car ploughed into fans celebrating at Liverpool FC’s Premier League victory parade, injuring 79 people.
Paul Doyle will appear in court on Friday, charged with dangerous driving, causing grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent, wounding with intent to cause GBH and attempting to cause GBH with intent after a Ford Galaxy drove into crowds on Monday.
The 53-year-old is a father of three and a businessman from West Derby, east of the city, and is an ex-Royal Marine commando who now works in cyber, according to his LinkedIn profile.
Up to a million supporters had gathered to celebrate Liverpool’s 20th league title in a 10-mile parade in the city.
Crime correspondent Amy-Clare Martin:
Man charged after car driven into crowds at Liverpool parade
Court sketch of Paul Doyle, 53, as he held back tears
21:11 , Alex Croft
Pictured: Heavy police presence outside the Liverpool courtroom earlier on Friday
20:43 , Alex Croft
Charges under review amid investigation, says CPS
20:14 , Alex CroftCharges against former Royal marine Paul Doyle will be kept under review as the police investigate, the Crown Prosecution Service said.
Chief crown prosecutor for CPS Mersey-Cheshire, Sarah Hammond, said: “The investigation is at an early stage.
“Prosecutors and police are continuing to work at pace to review a huge volume of evidence.
“This includes multiple pieces of video footage and numerous witness statements.
“It is important to ensure every victim gets the justice they deserve.”
Watch: Former marine Paul Doyle charged with seven offences
19:45 , Alex CroftPrincess Anne thanks emergency responders following Liverpool car crash - ICYMI
19:19 , Alex CroftPictured: Court sketch of Liverpool car suspect Paul Doyle
18:54 , Alex Croft
Former Royal Marine Paul Doyle 'holds back tears' in court
18:29 , Alex CroftSenior reporter Alex Ross’ dispatch from Liverpool earlier today:
Doyle, 53, wearing a black suit, white shirt and grey tie, looked emotional as he came into the courtroom at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court on Friday
Doyle looked around at the dozens of reporters packing the courtroom as he was brought in from the cells, his face crumpling slightly as he held back tears.
District Judge Paul Healey asked for the defendant to identify himself and in a croaky voice, Doyle confirmed his name, gave his date of birth and address in Liverpool.
Reporting restrictions imposed
18:06 , Alex CroftA large part of today's two hearings at the magistrates' court and crown court was a discussion on an application by the prosecution to restrict the naming of the six victims named in the seven charges faced by Paul Doyle.
Four of the victims are adults, two are children. The restriction was imposed in the interim, but will be reheard at a hearing involving representatives of the press next week.
Earlier, during the magistrates' court hearing, District Judge Paul Healey said imposing the restriction was a “necessary and proportionate step at this time having regard to the nature of the allegations.”
“This is a truly exceptional case,” he added. “It shocked and outraged the people of Liverpool and beyond.”
What has suspect been charged with?
17:42 , Alex CroftThe 53-year-old suspect has been charged with two counts of wounding with intent, two counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, two counts of attempted grievous bodily harm with intent and one count of dangerous driving.
A wounding charge and an attempted grievous bodily harm charge relate to a child, according to the Crown Prosecution Service.
Police confirmed the ages of those injured in the incident ranged from nine to 78 and all 79 are British.
What did the prosecuting lawyers say in court today?
17:19 , Alex CroftHere are the key quotes from the prosecuting lawyer speaking in Liverpool Crown Court on Friday afternoon:
This is very much an ongoing investigation. There are many witnesses to be interviewed and a great deal of CCTV to be analysed.
These charges arise from events round about 6pm on May 26 on Water Street in the city centre as significant crowds left the waterfront after the parade for the local football team.
The defendant, say the Crown, drove deliberately at people amongst that crowd.
...the Crown say, he (the defendant) used his vehicle deliberately as a weapon to injure those individuals.
Van believed to be carrying Paul Doyle enters Liverpool court
16:53 , Alexander ButlerWatch: Liverpool parade crash suspect Paul Doyle to appear in court
16:36‘You can’t help feel emotion’: Hero firefighter tells of chaos at scene of Liverpool parade crash
16:21 , Alexander ButlerPictured sprinting through the crowd of shell-shocked faces towards the injured, the image of firefighter Ben Ryder has joined those who have symbolised the heroic actions of emergency services on one of Liverpool’s darkest days.
A modest man with 24 years’ service at Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, the area manager admits he feared for the worst when he got the call to say a car had struck people at the Liverpool FC victory parade.
The lifelong Liverpool supporter arrived at a scene of pandemonium with dozens of casualties, many of them on the ground, sprawled across the closed-off road.
Read the full dispatch by The Independent’s senior reporter Alex Ross here:
Heroic firefighter tells of chaos at scene of Liverpool parade crash
Rewatch: CPS reads out seven offences Paul Doyle charged with
16:10Recap: Paul Doyle held back tears as he stood in dock
15:47 , Alexander ButlerFormer Royal Marine Paul Doyle held back tears on Friday morning as he stood in the Magistrates’ dock accused of driving a Ford Galaxy into Liverpool FC fans celebrating the club’s Premier League victory.
Doyle, 53, was accused of seven offences including two counts of causing GBH with intent and one count of dangerous driving after 79 people were injured in the incident on Monday evening. He was also accused of two counts of attempted GBH and two counts of wounding with intent.
The father-of-three’s magistrates’ court hearing started at around 10am and was delayed by an application by the prosecution to prevent the naming of six victims in the case.
As at least 50 people crammed into the packed courtroom, which was just a few minutes’ walk from the scene, dozens of police officers and vans filled Liverpool city centre.
By 12.30pm, the case went to Liverpool Crown Court, where he was led into the dock by two security guards as he appeared tired and visibly shaken.
Concluding the hearing, Judge Menary told Doyle the next hearing will be a plea and case management hearing on 14 August, with the "purpose of the hearing for you to enter pleas to the indictment".
A date has been set for a trial, if required, for 24 November, Judge Menary said.
“This is a truly exceptional case,” he added. “It shocked and outraged the people of Liverpool and beyond.”
Pictured: Paul Doyle's court sketches
15:12 , Alexander Butler
In pictures: Police at Liverpool magistrates' court
15:05 , Jane Dalton
The charges Doyle faces
14:50 , Jane DaltonPaul Doyle is accused of two counts of wounding with intent, two counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, two counts of attempted grievous bodily harm with intent and one count of dangerous driving.
The charges relate to six victims, including two children aged 11 and 17.
The judge made reporting restrictions preventing the victims from being publicly identified.
‘You can’t help feel emotion’: Firefighter tells of crash scene chaos
14:31 , Jane DaltonAlex Ross speaks to one of the first emergency workers to arrive at the scene of the crash:
Heroic firefighter tells of chaos at scene of Liverpool parade crash
Recap: Magistrates' and crown court hearings in one day
14:11 , Jane DaltonRecap of today’s court events: A trial date has been set for the alleged driver of a car that ploughed into a crowd at Liverpool's Premier League victory parade.
Paul Doyle, 53, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court charged with seven offences.
The father-of-three, of Croxteth, Liverpool, was first taken to Liverpool Magistrates' Court from the cells.
Doyle made no indication of pleas after the charges were read to the court.
The case then went to Liverpool Crown Court, which is in the same building.
Crown courts are reserved for more serious cases than those in magistrates’ courts, which is where all criminal cases must start.
Queue outside court
14:05 , Jane DaltonA long queue formed outside Liverpool magistrates’ court of people wanting to watch the hearing.
Dates of next court appearances given
13:56 , Jane DaltonDoyle spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth during the magistrates’ court hearing before he was remanded in custody ahead of a plea hearing on 14 August.
Recorder of Liverpool Judge Andrew Menary fixed a provisional trial date, if needed, of 24 November, saying the case could last three to four weeks.
