Liverpool Parade Attacker Sentenced to 21 Years and Six Months
Liverpool Parade Attacker Sentenced to 21 Years and Six Months
A man who drove into crowds at Liverpool FC's victory parade is jailed for 21 years and six months after injuring more than 130 people.
Paul Doyle, 54, drove into crowds leaving Liverpool FC's victory parade after an initially restrained moment near traffic cones, then steered into the left lane. The first person he struck was 23-year-old Jack Trotter, who tried to step out of the way and suffered a leg injury. The car then plowed into groups of revelers, hurling some onto its bonnet. Doyle hit more pedestrians and struck a 10-year-old girl as he shouted a profane phrase, before continuing along Water Street. He went on to hit additional people, including 60-year-old Jacqueline McClaren and 34-year-old paramedic Jay Vernon. He reversed and collided with an ambulance. Doyle paused briefly while fans gathered around the vehicle, and one ex-soldier, Dan Barr, opened the rear passenger door and briefly got into the car.
In the aftermath, more than 130 people were injured as Doyle drove through the parade's aftermath, turning a celebratory moment into chaos. The attack was described in terms of a rage, underscoring the severity of the incident and the impact on those present that day.
Doyle, described in court as the married father of three, was later sentenced to 21 years and six months in prison for his actions. The case drew attention not only for the length of the sentence but for the shock it caused in the city during a moment of celebration for Liverpool FC.
Dan Barr, the ex-soldier who intervened when the car was at the vehicle, said he did not see himself as a hero, even as his actions helped to halt the immediate danger. The incident remains a defining moment for the city, highlighting the need for vigilance and safety at large public events while honoring those who tried to help during the crisis.
