On a day meant for celebration, tragedy struck the heart of Liverpool as a driver ploughed his Ford Galaxy into crowds of jubilant supporters at Liverpool FC’s Premier League title victory parade, leaving 134 people injured and a city shaken. The incident, which occurred on May 26, 2025, along Water Street—a road closed to traffic specifically for the parade—has now culminated in a lengthy prison sentence for the perpetrator, Paul Doyle, whose actions were described by the presiding judge as an act of “inexplicable and undiluted fury.”
According to reports from Extra.ie and the Press Association, 54-year-old Paul Doyle had been driving into Liverpool’s city centre, ostensibly to collect friends who had attended the parade. However, what followed was a sequence of reckless decisions that would devastate dozens of families. Dashcam footage, later played in court, captured Doyle shouting at pedestrians to “move” and hurling profanities as he undertook other vehicles, ran a red light, and accelerated into the dense crowds lining Water Street. The footage showed the terrifying moment fans were thrown onto the car’s bonnet or trapped underneath as Doyle pressed ahead, seemingly oblivious to the chaos and terror he was causing.
Witnesses and victims recounted the horror of the scene. The 29 named victims in the indictment ranged in age from six-month-old Teddy Eveson—whose pram was flung into the air—to 77-year-old Susan Passey. In total, 134 supporters sustained injuries, with many suffering not just physical harm but enduring psychological trauma. One mother described the horror of seeing her child struck by the vehicle, while others spoke of flashbacks and ongoing mental anguish. In court, statements from 78 victims were read aloud, painting a harrowing picture of the lasting impact on those caught in Doyle’s path. As one woman told Doyle directly, “Don’t sit in the dock and cry for yourself.”
Doyle had initially denied the 31 charges brought against him, which included dangerous driving, affray, 17 counts of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent, nine counts of causing GBH with intent, and three counts of wounding with intent. But in November 2025, just moments before the prosecution was due to open his trial, Doyle changed his plea and admitted to all charges. Throughout much of the two-day sentencing hearing, the former Royal Marine sobbed, but as Judge Andrew Menary KC handed down the sentence—21 years and six months in prison—Doyle stared straight ahead, expressionless. There was no reaction as he was led away from the dock by prison officers.
In his sentencing remarks, Judge Menary KC did not mince words. “It is almost impossible to comprehend how any right-thinking person could act as you did,” he told Doyle. “To drive a vehicle into crowds of pedestrians with such persistence and disregard for human life defies ordinary understanding. Your actions caused horror and devastation on a scale not previously encountered by this court.”
Doyle’s background offered additional cause for concern. As reported by Extra.ie, he had previous convictions for violent offenses in the 1990s, including an incident where he bit a sailor’s ear off. On the day of the parade, his dashcam captured him angrily shouting at people as they scrambled to pull their children out of harm’s way. During the incident, Doyle claimed to police that he had seen someone with a knife and had driven in panic, fearing for his safety. However, a thorough investigation by police found no evidence—either from CCTV footage or eyewitness accounts—that anyone in the area had a knife. Furthermore, no defects were found with his car, and tests confirmed that Doyle was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time.
It was only the quick thinking and bravery of a fan, Dan Barr, that brought the carnage to a halt. Barr managed to climb into the back seat of Doyle’s automatic vehicle and pulled the gearstick into park, stopping the car while people were still trapped underneath. Despite Barr’s intervention, Doyle continued to try to accelerate, but the car could no longer move.
The prosecution, led by James Allison from the Crown Prosecution Service Mersey-Cheshire, summarized the motivation behind Doyle’s actions succinctly: “Why did he do it? I think the simple answer is that he lost his temper. He went into a rage. He just wanted to get down that road, and in trying to get down that road, those next couple of minutes probably devastated a lot of people’s lives.”
Detective Chief Inspector John Fitzgerald, speaking to the media outside Liverpool Crown Court, echoed the sense of disbelief and outrage felt by many. “Doyle’s total disregard for the safety of others—particularly the many young children present on Dale Street and Water Street that day—is beyond comprehension. It is sheer luck that no lives were lost.”
For Liverpool, a city renowned for its passionate football culture and strong sense of community, the incident stands as a stark reminder of how quickly joy can turn to tragedy. The Premier League title parade was meant to be a day of unbridled celebration, with supporters of all ages coming together to mark a historic achievement for their club. Instead, it became the scene of one of the most shocking acts of violence the city has witnessed in recent memory.
As the dust settles, attention has turned to the lasting effects on the victims and the broader community. Many of those injured face a long road to recovery, both physically and emotionally. The court heard numerous accounts of families struggling to come to terms with what happened, with some children now fearful of crowds and others enduring nightmares and anxiety. The sense of loss and vulnerability lingers, even as justice has been served.
The case has also raised questions about public safety at large-scale events and the responsibilities of individuals behind the wheel. While police and city officials have praised the quick response of emergency services and bystanders, the ordeal has prompted a renewed focus on ensuring such tragedies are never repeated.
In the end, the sentence handed down to Paul Doyle reflects the gravity of his actions and the devastation wrought upon so many lives. The words of Judge Menary KC ring out as a sombre warning: “Your actions caused horror and devastation on a scale not previously encountered by this court.” For Liverpool, the scars of that day will not soon fade, but the resilience of its people remains as strong as ever.
