Man Denies All Charges Over Liverpool Parade Incident That Injured Over 130

Staff Reporter — Thu, 04 Sep 2025 17:34:34 +0000

Liverpool (KAAB TV) – In a high-profile court appearance at Liverpool Crown Court, Paul Doyle, a 53-year-old man from West Derby, Liverpool, emphatically pleaded not guilty to a sweeping 31 criminal charges in connection with a disturbing incident that marred Liverpool FC’s Premier League victory parade in May.

The Incident

On 26 May 2025, around 6 p.m. BST, a grey Ford Galaxy allegedly driven by Doyle drove into dense crowds of jubilant fans on Water Street, near the end of the parade route. The vehicle followed an ambulance into the restricted zone after a brief roadblock removal to allow medical access. Over 130 people were injured in the melee, with estimates placing the number of hospital admissions at over 50 and involving victims ranging from infants to seniors.

Eyewitnesses recounted scenes of chaos as emergency services rushed to assist. Some victims were trapped beneath the vehicle, requiring urgent rescue. Authorities swiftly ruled out terrorism as a motive, characterizing the event as isolated.

The Charges

Doyle now faces 31 charges, including:

18 counts of attempted grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent
9 counts of causing GBH with intent
2 counts of wounding with intent
1 count of dangerous driving
1 count of affray

Initially arrested and charged with seven offences—including dangerous driving and various counts of GBH and wounding—authorities added 24 new counts in August. Some specifically pertain to child victims, including babies aged six and seven months.

Court Proceedings and Defence Concerns

Doyle appeared via videolink from HMP Belmarsh, entering pleas of not guilty to all counts. His trial has been provisionally scheduled for late November, with dates varying between 24 and 25 November depending on reporting source.

At the hearing, his defense revealed logistical challenges: Doyle has reportedly faced significant obstacles in accessing video evidence and documents. His legal team criticized Belmarsh Prison for failing to provide the necessary technological facilities, describing the situation as restricted and “incomprehensible”.

He remains in custody, with a pre-trial hearing also scheduled for 27 October or 4 September, depending on the source.

Broader Reaction and Context

The incident shook a festive occasion held in front of an estimated one million people, celebrating Liverpool’s first citywide victory parade since the 2020 pandemic cancellation.

Senior political figures and royalty responded with messages of support. King Charles III highlighted the city’s spirit as a comfort, while Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer commended emergency responders and offered solidarity with affected communities.

Liverpool FC also expressed condolences and pledged support to victims and their families, maintaining contact with Merseyside Police.

Pre-trial hearing: scheduled for 27 October (Guardian/Sky) or earlier depending on court scheduling.

Trial: expected to begin around 24–25 November, potentially lasting 3–4 weeks

Defense challenge: ensuring accurate access to digital evidence remains a key concern ahead of trial.

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Four People Injured In Liverpool Parade Crash ‘very, very ill,’ Mayor Says

Staff Reporter — Tue, 27 May 2025 09:17:54 +0000

LIVERPOOL (KAAB TV) – Four people were “very, very ill in hospital” after a car ploughed into a crowd of Liverpool fans during a Premier League title parade, the city’s mayor said on Tuesday, adding that he hoped they would “pull through.”

British police believe the incident, in a packed Liverpool city centre on Monday, was isolated and not an act of terrorism, but have not said why or how a man was able to drive at crowds celebrating in the streets on Monday evening.

Videos posted online showed a grey people-carrier driving through a crowded street that was closed to cars, sending several flying into the air and dragging at least four under its wheels.

When the car stopped, angry fans converged on it and began smashing the windows as police officers battled to prevent them from reaching the driver.

Police said late on Monday that 20 people were treated at the scene and 27 were taken to hospital, including children.

Liverpool City Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram told the BBC there were “still four people who are very, very ill in hospital”.

“We are hoping of course that they pull through”.

With most people off work for the Spring Bank Holiday, officials estimated that around one million people descended on the 10-mile parade route to watch the Liverpool team and its staff travel through the city centre on an open-top bus with the Premier League trophy.

Liverpool last won the league during the COVID pandemic when celebrations were not permitted due to lockdowns.

Police said the car hit the spectators as the event was winding down.

In the aftermath, a Reuters photographer saw emergency services carrying victims on stretchers and in their arms to nearby ambulances.

Police were unusually quick to provide a description of the man they arrested, saying around two hours after the incident that they had arrested a “53-year-old white British man from the Liverpool area.”

Former police officers and local politicians said that statement was needed to cool social media speculation that the episode was an Islamist attack.

“That was one of my first concerns, that we needed to get the story out quickly,” mayor Rotheram told the BBC.

“If there’s a vacuum, we know there are some elements that will try to inflame the situation and to create that speculation and to put misinformation out there.”

The same police force oversaw the response to the murder of three young girls in the nearby town of Southport last year, an incident which sparked days of rioting, fuelled initially by speculation online over the identity of the attacker.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer thanked the emergency services for their swift response, saying: “Everyone, especially children, should be able to celebrate their heroes without this horror”.