As Paul Doyle pleads guilty, the Mirror takes a look at the businessman’s very different life before the horror smash in Liverpool, including friends’ protestations that he has a ‘heart of gold’
On May 26, Paul Doyle drove into crowds at Liverpool’s victory parade, injuring 134 people, including children, but who is the “church going family man” whose actions have left those known to him “stunned”?
The horror unfolded in the city centre, where football fans had gathered to celebrate a triumphant Premier League title win. Jubilation quickly turned to panic when, at 6pm, Doyle’s Ford Galaxy mounted the pavement and hurtled through the crowds for a distance of around 50 metres, causing complete chaos.
Those injured were between the ages of six months and 78 years, with eyewitnesses describing victims trapped beneath the wheels and being thrown over the bonnet. Doyle, who was arrested at the scene, initially pleaded not guilty to 31 alleged offences, including dangerous driving, affray, 17 charges of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent, nine counts of causing GBH with intent and three counts of wounding with intent.
Now, on day two of his trial at Liverpool Crown Court, the 53-year-old has dramatically changed his plea to guilty. After a delay to proceedings this morning, Judge Menary told the jury: “Thank you very much for your patience this morning. I know you’ve been waiting to come into court. Yesterday, responsibility for trying this defendant was handed over to you. For technical reasons which I anticipate will become apparent soon, I’m now going to discharge you from that responsibility. I’m formally discharging you as the jury in this case.”
READ MORE: Liverpool parade crash suspect Paul Doyle bursts into tears and pleads guilty
Shedding light on the case, Sarah Hammond, chief crown prosecutor for CPS Mersey-Cheshire, revealed that dash cam footage showed Doyle growing increasingly annoyed as he struggled to get through the crowds.
“Today’s convictions bring a measure of justice for an act that caused unimaginable harm during what should have been a day of celebration for the city of Liverpool,” she said.
“Paul Doyle has been held responsible for his deliberate actions that endangered lives and brought chaos upon a community. A total of 134 people were injured, including children as young as six months. This attack did not just harm individuals — it struck at the heart of a city united in joy, leaving fear in its wake.
“By entering guilty pleas, Doyle has finally accepted that he intentionally drove into crowds of innocent people during Liverpool FC’s victory parade.
“Dashcam footage from Doyle’s vehicle shows that as he approached Dale Street and Water Street, he became increasingly agitated by the crowds. Rather than wait for them to pass, he deliberately drove at them, forcing his way through.
“Driving a vehicle into a crowd is an act of calculated violence. This was not a momentary lapse by Paul Doyle – it was a choice he made that day and it turned celebration into mayhem. I would like to commend the bravery of emergency services who acted swiftly at the scene. There can be no doubt that their actions saved lives.
“Liverpool as a city has shown resilience and unity in the face of this awful act, and I hope the victims, their families and anyone affected will feel justice has been done.”
Here, the Mirror looks at the past life of Paul Doyle, whose alleged crimes are said to be ‘completely out of character’…
READ MORE: Paul Doyle trial RECAP: Liverpool crash suspect in tears as he denies charges
Family man and ‘fantastic’ neighbour
Doyle, from West Derby, is understood to be a married father of three teenage sons, who lives in a £300,000 four-bedroom detached home on a quiet cul-de-sac. Neighbours view the middle-class Doyles as a “nice” family, while emphasising how well-behaved their children are, arguing that “it just doesn’t make sense.”
One resident previously told the Mirror: “It seems completely out of character. They are such a nice family, the boys are really nice and well-behaved. [He] is a fantastic guy. He came over to help us when our alarm went off once, and then did the same for our immediate neighbours, too. It doesn’t feel right. They are lovely. The whole thing is so sad – for his wife and children and also for the people who were injured.” Meanwhile, it’s been reported that Doyle’s wife of 20 years only learned what had happened after seeing the incident on the news.
A source told The Sun: “She [the wife] first realised when she saw it was her car on the telly, when she saw it being driven at the parade. The normal police cars turned up at teatime then Matrix van turned up later that night.” It’s understood that, when neighbours first saw the police van turn up outside the family home, they assumed the Doyles had been victims of a burglary.
Church-goer
Those close to the Doyles have reportedly been left shocked by how events have unfolded, with one close friend telling the Mail Online: “I just can’t believe it. They are like part of the family, we have known them for years, their boys grew up with our children, I’m stunned, I really am. It’s so out of character. Paul doesn’t drink or smoke or anything like that. He is such a family man, really hardworking. They are such a gorgeous family.”
It’s said that the church-going Doyles are active members within their local community, with both husband and wife involved with a nearby scout group. Another pal told the publication that Doyle, who is not a football fan, had simply been dropping a friend off in Liverpool city centre as a favour when the catastrophic events unfolded. They revealed: “I believe he was doing someone a favour and dropping his wife’s friend and her daughter off for an appointment. He is a nice lad. He has a heart of gold.”
Military career
Former company director Doyle reportedly passed out of the Royal Marine Commando Training Centre, also known as CTCRM, back in 1991, where he served with 43 Commando, a unit based in Arbroath, Scotland, focused on securing the UK’s nuclear deterrent.
After moving on from the Forces, Doyle proceeded to read psychology and maths at a Russell Group university before working in cybersecurity roles. Although it remains unclear exactly what Doyle does for work, it’s understood that he’s had various management roles as a network security consultant, including one position at an NHS Trust. Company records, seen by Mail Online, also show that Doyle previously ran several businesses, with several dissolved retail companies listed under his name on Companies House.
On the first day of his trial, Doyle was seen breaking down in tears as proceedings began. Doyle’s voice wavered, and he could be seen wiping his eyes as he pleaded “not guilty”. When the jury panel was brought into the courtroom, he put his head in his hands and cried.
Passion for travel
Photos on social media depict the Doyle enjoying various holidays overseas, including trips to Disneyland, Florida, Dubai and beach getaways. Online accounts show Doyle to be an extensive traveller, having visited several Asian nations, including Japan, Fiji and India, and Australia. Photographs uploaded online also capture the keen runner partaking in triathlons and climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.
These peaceful pictures feel like a world away from the horrors experienced on May 26, which were witnessed by Mirror Deputy Editor, David Raven. In a poignant piece, David wrote: “It’s impossible to put into words what so many Liverpool supporters, families and those involved are feeling. There’s a mixture of empathy for the victims – how are they, and their families? – and also anger at how could this happen. Who, and why? The only certainty is that Liverpool is a city that unites in times of tragedy. For now, it’s time for the police to do their job.”
He continued: “Many city centre bars quietened down as news spread of the severity of what happened. The celebrations muted. A distant chorus of You’ll Never Walk Alone broke out. A few joined in but most people just listened, this time the words meant so much more.”
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READ MORE: Paul Doyle in tears as he denies driving car into parade of Liverpool fans
