The sentencing of a British man who drove his car into crowds celebrating Liverpool’s Premier League title, injuring more than 100 people, is due to begin on Monday.
Paul Doyle admitted during his trial in November that he deliberately drove into fans gathered in Liverpool city centre in May. He broke down in court as he changed his plea and has been in custody since his arrest at the scene. His sentencing hearing will take place at Liverpool Crown Court over two days, Monday and Tuesday.
Doyle has pleaded guilty to 31 offences, including intentionally causing serious injury, wounding, fighting in public and dangerous driving. The judge, Andrew Menary, warned him to expect a “lengthy prison sentence”, with the most serious charges carrying a possible life sentence.
The 54-year-old had originally denied the charges and was expected to argue that he panicked before driving into the crowd. However, he changed his plea on the second day of the trial, admitting guilt on all counts. The charges relate to 29 victims, ranging in age from six months to 77 years old.
On the day of the incident, Doyle left his home in a Liverpool suburb in his Ford Galaxy. He had been planning to pick up a friend who was among the hundreds of thousands of fans celebrating Liverpool’s record-equalling 20th league title.
