A man accused of driving into crowds of football supporters at Liverpool FC’s victory parade is standing trial today at Liverpool Crown Court.
Paul Doyle, 54, is 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.
Doyle, of Croxteth, Liverpool denies 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.
In the court on Tuesday morning, Doyle, wearing a black suit and glasses with slicked back hair, confirmed his identity and heard the list of charges. He put his head in his hands and cried as the jury selection took place ahead of the trial beginning.
Merseyside Police said 134 people were injured when Doyle alleged drove his Ford Galaxy Titanium into crowds of people leaving the city centre parade in Water Street on 26 May just after 6pm.
The trial is expected to last up to four weeks.
Updates below
- Paul Doyle appears in the dock
- What to expect at Liverpool Crown Court today
- Full list of 31 charges Paul Doyle faces after parade incident
- What happened at the Liverpool Parade
Blog is now paused ahead of tomorrow
12:58 , Alex RossFollowing the end of today’s hearing, we’re now pausing the blog ahead of the resuming the case tomorrow morning.
Case adjourned to Wednesday morning
12:17 , Alex RossJudge Andrew Menary has sent the jury home and ended the court hearing for today.
The case will resume on Wednesday morning at 10.30am.
Judge explains case timetable to chosen jury
11:57 , Alex RossSeven men and five women have been sworn in as jurors, as well as two women who will serve as extra jurors and sit through the opening in case of difficulties.
Judge Andrew Menary explains that they will first hear an opening on the case from the prosecution.
He says the case concerns allegations connected to Doyle’s conduct at the Liverpool FC parade.
He says: “The incident, as you maybe aware, occured in a busy city centre setting and has been the subject of public attention.”
He tells jury members to only consider evidence put before them in the court, and not to carry out their own research.
He says: “Don’t let your inquisitiveness get the better of you.”
Doyle in tears as jury selection takes place
11:49 , Alex RossPaul Doyle wiped tears away as he was re-arraigned on four counts which have been amended to reflect the medical evidence.
He entered not guilty pleas to the charges.
He is is now charged with a total of 17 charges of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent, nine counts of causing GBH with intent, three counts of wounding with intent, affray and dangerous driving.
Doyle then put his head in his hands and cried as the jury selection started.
Jury selection taking place
11:43 , Alex RossJudge Andrew Menary called in 33 people who have been identified as able to serve as jury members in the case.
They were first asked if any of them knew Doyle, who stood up so they could see him.
None said they knew him.
The names of the jury members for the case were then called, with each sitting down along two rows on one side of the court room.
Paul Doyle appears in the dock
11:31 , Alex RossPaul Doyle has been brought into the dock in the packed court room.
He is wearing glasses and a black suit and a white shirt.
The court clerk asks him to stand, and says: “Are you Paul Desmond Sanders Doyle?”
He replies: “Yes, I am.”
Full list of charges Paul Doyle faces
09:27 , Alex RossPaul Doyle is expected to stand trial at Liverpool Crown Court today, where he faces multiple charges after a car crashed into Liverpool supporters during their team’s Premier League title celebrations in May.
The 54-year-old is accused of 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.
He denies all offences.
More than 130 people injured in Liverpool Parade incident
09:24 , Alex RossMerseyside Police said 134 people were injured when a Ford Galaxy Titanium crashed into crowds at a victory parade to celebrate Liverpool’s Premier League win in May.
It happened as the fans were leaving the waterfront parade in Water Street just after 6pm on 26 May.
Emergency services rushed to the scene, where some people were taken to hospital while others were treated in make-shift clinics in nearby restaurants.
Two days later, Sir Keir Starmer visited the city to thank “the first responders [who] showed remarkable bravey” is helping those hurt.
What to expect today
09:16 , Alex RossPaul Doyle is expected to stand trial at Liverpool Crown Court today.
The case has been listed at the court for 10.30am.
For a trial to go ahead, a jury will need to be selected, before the prosecutor opens the case.
The case would then hear witness statements, which could last several days given that the charges relate to 29 victims.
The trial is expected to last three to four weeks.
