Liverpool parade crash latest: Paul Doyle holds back tears in court

Former 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.”

Paul 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.

Alex Ross speaks to one of the first emergency workers to arrive at the scene of the crash:

Recap 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.

A long queue formed outside Liverpool magistrates’ court of people wanting to watch the hearing.

Doyle 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.

A 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.”