On May 26, 2025, what should have been a night of pure joy for Liverpool fans celebrating their club’s 20th English top-flight title ended in chaos and tragedy. As supporters poured out onto Water Street in the heart of Liverpool city centre, a Ford Galaxy Titanium allegedly driven by 53-year-old Paul Doyle ploughed into the jubilant crowd. The incident left 134 people injured, among them children and even two babies, transforming the city’s victory parade into a scene of horror.
Paul Doyle, a former Royal Marine and father of three from Croxteth, Liverpool, was arrested at the scene as emergency services rushed to rescue several people trapped under the vehicle. According to The Guardian, fire crews worked frantically and dozens of the injured were taken to hospital for treatment. Merseyside Police later confirmed the scale of the disaster: 134 victims, ranging in age from six months to 77 years old, had been caught up in the chaos. Remarkably, police stated early on that the incident was not being treated as terrorism, describing it as an isolated event. Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims said, “What I can tell you is that we believe this to be an isolated incident, and we are not currently looking for anyone else in relation to it. The incident is not being treated as terrorism.”
For Liverpool, the day had begun with hope and celebration. Up to a million supporters had gathered to mark the club’s record-equalling 20th league title—its second in the Premier League era—following a 10-mile open-top bus parade through the city. Yet, as the crowds began to disperse after 6pm, the festivities turned into pandemonium. Witnesses described the scenes as ‘horrendous’, with LADbible reporting that Doyle allegedly tailgated an ambulance to access the closed roads before driving into the throng of fans.
Fast forward to August 14, 2025, and the legal proceedings against Doyle have taken a significant turn. Appearing tearful and visibly shaken via video link from prison, Doyle faced Liverpool Crown Court for a hearing that would see the charges against him dramatically increased. Originally charged with seven offences—including dangerous driving, causing grievous bodily harm with intent, and wounding with intent—Doyle now faces a staggering 31 charges in total. According to BBC News, these include 19 counts of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm, seven of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, three of wounding with intent, one of dangerous driving, and one of affray. Six of the charges relate specifically to children, including the two infants aged just six and seven months at the time of the incident.
The courtroom was tense as the details of the new indictment were read out. Doyle, dressed in a plain grey T-shirt and sitting at a desk with glasses, notepads, and books in front of him, wiped his eyes repeatedly as he confirmed his identity. His barrister, Simon Csoka KC, requested more time to consider the new charges and review additional evidence, noting that Doyle had only received the details of the new counts shortly before the hearing. Csoka explained that his client had applied for a laptop in prison to view crucial CCTV and other digital evidence, but that request had yet to be approved even after two months. Judge Andrew Menary KC acknowledged the complexity of the case, stating, “These are serious matters and they are not uncomplicated, and there are practical difficulties in accessing the defendant.”
The hearing itself lasted just 20 minutes, but it was enough to leave a lasting impression on those present. Family members of some of the victims and more than 20 members of the media attended, underscoring the public interest and emotional weight of the case. The judge adjourned proceedings until September 4, 2025, when Doyle is expected to enter pleas to the charges. A provisional trial date has been set for November 24, with the trial anticipated to last three to four weeks.
According to The Independent, Doyle was originally charged days after the incident with 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 prosecution’s case, as outlined in court by junior counsel Philip Astbury, is that Doyle “drove deliberately in that car at people amongst that crowd as they tried to leave the area.” Astbury further stated, “Six charges of assault reflect the most seriously injured of those who were struck by the vehicle. The first count of dangerous driving reflects the manner of driving before and up until the point he used his vehicle deliberately as a weapon to injure those individuals.”
While the defence has yet to present its case, the prosecution’s assertion that the car was used “as a weapon” has intensified public scrutiny. The new charges reflect the growing number of identified victims and the severity of the injuries sustained. Of the 31 charges, 29 relate to specific victims, including the six children. As Sky News reported, Doyle’s legal team successfully argued for a delay in the plea hearing due to the late availability of evidence, with his next appearance set for early September.
In the days following the incident, Merseyside Police were quick to reassure the public that they were not searching for any other suspects and that there was no evidence of a wider plot. The city, meanwhile, has been left to grapple with the aftermath of an event that shattered the sense of communal joy surrounding Liverpool’s historic football achievement. The club itself has not issued a detailed public statement on the ongoing legal proceedings, but support for the victims and their families has been widespread across the city and among the broader football community.
As the legal process unfolds, the city of Liverpool waits anxiously for answers and, perhaps, a sense of closure. The case has already cast a long shadow over what should have been a moment of unbridled celebration. With the trial expected to begin in late November and last several weeks, the coming months will be crucial not only for the accused and the victims but for a city still healing from a night that changed so many lives in an instant.
For now, all eyes remain on Liverpool Crown Court, where the next chapter in this harrowing story will be written in September.
