Liverpool parade driver told officers ‘I’ve just ruined my family’s life’

A driver who used a car as a “weapon” to plough through more than 100 people celebrating Liverpool’s Premier League title win told officers “I’ve just ruined my family’s life”, a court heard.

Paul Doyle, described as a “family man” by prosecutors, wept as footage of the horrific rampage was shown to the city’s crown court multiple times on Monday.

His sentencing hearing was told the 54-year-old was “in a rage” and his “anger had completely taken hold of him”.

Doyle previously pleaded guilty to 31 offences relating to seriously injuring people during the victory parade in May.

Prosecutors said in the space of two minutes, his Ford Galaxy – which weighed nearly two tonnes – collided with “well over 100 people” and he was “prepared to cause those in the crowd, even children, serious harm if necessary to achieve his aim of getting through”.

Doyle admitted 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 last month.

He had previously denied the offences, which relate to 29 victims aged between six months and 77 years.

The court was told a man named Daniel Barr, labelled a “hero” by prosecutors, had “bravely” jumped into the back of Doyle’s Galaxy and placed the vehicle into park.

Mr Barr was in the back seat of the car for the last 16 seconds of its movement, and told police that, as he walked up Water Street, he saw the Galaxy in the distance and noted that the crowd’s attitude suddenly changed from “joyful to desperate” and saw people “flying into the air”.

A number of victim impact statements were read to the court by prosecutor Philip Astbury, with some speaking of “flashbacks” and their