Man Weeps as 24 New Charges Filed After Liverpool Parade Incident

A man accused of driving into crowds during a Liverpool FC victory parade faced an additional 24 charges on Thursday, bringing the total number of victims involved to 29. Paul Doyle, 53, appeared in Liverpool Crown Court, where he became visibly emotional as he was informed of the new allegations connected to the incident that occurred on May 26, 2023.

Doyle, a resident of Burghill Road in West Derby, Liverpool, previously faced multiple charges following the incident, which left numerous football fans injured during the celebration of Liverpool FC’s Premier League triumph. Prosecutors have now added charges relating to 23 more victims, including eight children; two of whom were just six and seven months old at the time of the event.

As the court proceedings commenced, Doyle, appearing via video link from prison, struggled to contain his emotions. He clasped his hands to his face and sobbed when asked if he could hear the proceedings. Dressed in a grey t-shirt, he sat behind a desk with a notepad, pen, and black-rimmed glasses in front of him. Family members of both Doyle and the victims were present in the courtroom.

On the day of the parade, approximately 1.5 million supporters lined the streets of Liverpool to celebrate. According to police reports, a total of 134 people sustained injuries, with about 50 requiring hospital treatment. Video footage captured the distressing moment when the Ford Galaxy minivan struck pedestrians as they made their way home from the festivities.

Doyle’s initial charges included two counts of wounding with intent against Simon Nash, 52, and an 11-year-old boy. He also faces two counts of inflicting grievous bodily harm on Christine Seeckts, 66, and Susan Passey, 77, along with two counts of attempting to inflict grievous bodily harm on an 18-year-old, Ethan Gillard, and a 17-year-old boy whose identity is protected. Additionally, he has been charged with one count of dangerous driving.

The court has imposed a anonymity order protecting the identities of the eight minors involved, which includes one girl and seven boys. Judge Andrew Menary adjourned the plea hearing until September 4, at which point Doyle will be presented in the dock. A trial has been scheduled to commence on November 24 and is expected to last three to four weeks.

The incident has drawn significant attention, not only for its tragic outcome but also for the profound impact it has had on the community and the families affected. The proceedings continue to unfold as the legal process advances.