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Paul Doyle, 54, admitted 31 offences at Liverpool Crown Court over the incident at Liverpool FC’s victory parade
Amy-Clare MartinCrime Correspondent,Rebecca WhittakerWednesday 26 November 2025 12:02 GMT
CloseEmotional Liverpool parade crash witness recalls moment she knew something was wrong
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A former Royal Marine has admitted to ploughing his car into football fans at Liverpool’s Premier League victory parade, injuring 134 people.
Paul Doyle, 54, has dramatically changed his plea just a day after he was seen in tears pleading not guilty.
He had been charged with 31 offences relating to the incident on 26 May this year, when thousands of people gathered in the city to celebrate the team winning the Premier League title.
But on Wednesday Doyle, of Croxteth in Liverpool, changed his pleas and admitted to 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.
Merseyside Police said 134 people were injured when Doyle allegedly drove his Ford Galaxy Titanium into crowds of people leaving the city centre parade in Water Street on 26 May just after 6pm.
The youngest victim is Teddy Eveson, aged six months. Seven other children cannot be named for legal reasons.
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Liverpool parade crash suspect Paul Doyle pleads not guilty to dangerous driving after car ploughed into fans
Key points
- Charges faced by Paul Doyle
- Who is representing Paul Doyle?
- Who are the victims?
- Doyle changes plea and admits ploughing into fans
Watch: CCTV shows moment car enters parade street before hitting crowd of Liverpool fans
CCTV shows moment car enters parade street before hitting crowd of Liverpool fansRebecca Whittaker26 November 2025 12:02'What should have been a day of celebration for the city turned into a distressing and frightening experience,' said Merseyside Police
Following Doyle’s change to guilty pleas, Merseyside Police Detective Chief Inspector John Fitzgerald said: “It is hard to forget the shocking scenes from that day.
“What should have been a day of celebration for the city turned into a distressing and frightening experience which we know continues to have a physical and psychological impact on many people.
“Thousands of people had gathered in the city to watch the Liverpool FC parade and it is only by sheer luck that nobody was killed because of Doyle’s reckless actions.
“In just seven minutes his dangerous driving meant that his car collided with more than 100 people, including children, in some cases trapping people underneath and causing serious injuries.”
He continued: “We know that a lot of people are still recovering from the injuries they suffered on that day and our thoughts remain with them and those that continue to be affected.
“We hope that the knowledge Doyle is now facing a considerable prison sentence will be able to help those affected to move on with their lives.”
Amy-Clare Martin26 November 2025 11:58Pictured: Police and forensic officers at the scene
The incident occurred as the streets were packed with fans celebrating Liverpool’s league title win (PA) (PA Wire)
Forensic officers at the scene in Water Street near the Liver Building in Liverpool after the victory parade (Peter Byrne/PA) (PA Wire)Rebecca Whittaker26 November 2025 11:55Pictured: Paul Doyle who admitted 31 offences at Liverpool Crown Court
Paul Doyle, 54, pictured as he dramatically changes his plea to guilty on the second day of the trial.
(Crown Prosecution Service)Rebecca Whittaker26 November 2025 11:53Doyle told to expect ‘custodial sentence of some length’
Doyle has been told to expect a lengthy prison sentence after he admitted to 31 charges after he ploughed into crowds at the victory parade.
Remanding him in custody, the Recorder of Liverpool Judge Andrew Menary, said: “It’s inevitable that there will be a custodial sentence of some length and you must prepare yourself for that outcome.”
He is due to sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court on 15 and 16 December.
Amy-Clare Martin26 November 2025 11:42Paul Doyle's actions 'endangered lives and brought chaos upon a community,' says chief crown prosecutor
Sarah Hammond, chief crown prosecutor for CPS Mersey-Cheshire, said: “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.
“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.”
Rebecca Whittaker26 November 2025 11:41Doyle was visibly upset as he changed his pleas to guilty
Paul Doyle held his head down and sobbed as he changed his pleas to guilty on the second day of his trial at Liverpool Crown Court.
The 54-year-old spoke with a broken voice as he occasionally wiped away tears as the charges were read to him again.
The Recorder of Liverpool Andrew Menary KC eventually allowed Doyle to sit in the dock midway through changing his pleas as he was visibly upset throughout the hearing.
Rebecca Whittaker26 November 2025 11:36Doyle changes plea and admits ploughing into fans
A former Royal Marine has changed his plea and admitted ploughing into football fans at Liverpool’s Premier League victory parade, injuring 134 people.
Paul Doyle, 54, had initially denied 31 charges relating to 29 victims, aged between six months and 77 years, after the Ford Galaxy Titanium collided with crowds.
However, he dramatically changed his plea on the second day of his trial.
Appearing wearing a dark suit and tie, Doyle bowed his head and clasped his hands together as he admitted to 31 charges.
He was allowed to sit down as he sobbed in the dock as each charge was put to him.
Amy-Clare Martin26 November 2025 11:31Who are the victims?
Paul Doyle has been accused of ploughing his car into football fans at Liverpool’s Premier League victory parade, injuring 134 people.
Following the incident fire crews worked to free several people who were trapped under the car and dozens were taken to the hospital for treatment.
The youngest alleged victim is Teddy Eveson, aged six months.
Seven other children, who Mr Doyle is alleged to have either injured or attempted to injure, cannot be named for legal reasons.
Rebecca Whittaker26 November 2025 10:34Liverpool parade crash suspect Paul Doyle pleads not guilty to dangerous driving after car ploughed into fans
