Man charged with seven serious driving offences following Liverpool parade crash
ITV Granada Reports correspondent Victoria Grimes has the latest from a Merseyside Police HQ as 53-year-old Paul Doyle is charged with several driving offences.
A man has been charged with seven serious driving offences after a car ploughed into Liverpool fans as they celebrated their team's Premier League victory parade.
Paul Doyle, 53, was arrested at the scene after the car was brought to a stop following the incident around 6pm on Monday, 26 May.
Seven people remain in hospital in a stable condition after the a car drove into a crowd of people celebrating the club's 20th league title on Water Street, Liverpool, on Monday, 26 May.
A total of 79 people - including a nine-year-old - were injured in the incident, a spokesperson from Merseyside Police confirmed on Wednesday.
Doyle, of Burghill Road, West Derby, has been charged with the following offences.
Two counts of unlawful and malicious wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. Two counts of causing unlawful and malicious grievous bodily harm with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
Two counts of attempted unlawful and malicious grievous bodily harm with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
These charges relate to six people including two children.
Doyle is also charged with one count of dangerous driving.
He has been remanded into custody and will appear at Liverpool Magistrates Court on Friday morning.
In a press conference at Merseyside Police HQ it was confirmed Paul Doyle, 53, has been charged with serious driving offences.
Chief Crown Prosecutor for the CPS Mersey-Cheshire Sarah Hammond told a press conference on Thursday.
She added that the investigation is at an early stage and a “huge volume” of evidence is being reviewed.
“The investigation is at an early stage", she said. "Prosecutors and police are continuing to work at pace to review a huge volume of evidence.
“This includes multiple pieces of video footage and numerous witness statements. It is important to ensure that every victim gets the justice they deserve.
“The charges will be kept under review as the investigation progresses.”
Chief Crown Prosecutor for the CPS Mersey-Cheshire Sarah Hammond said: “We know that Monday’s shocking scenes reverberated around the city of Liverpool, and the entire country, on what should have been a day of celebration for hundreds of thousands of Liverpool FC supporters.
“Our thoughts remain with all of those affected.”
Ms Hammond warned criminal proceedings against the defendant are active and he has the right to a fair trial and said there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information or media online which could in any way prejudice the proceedings.
She said: “Please allow the legal process to take its course without undue speculation.”Police believe the car which struck pedestrians was able to follow an ambulance crew attending to someone suffering a heart attack after a road block was temporarily lifted.
Assistant Chief Constable of Merseyside Police, Jenny Sims, added: “I fully understand how this incident has left us all shocked and saddened, and I know many will continue to have concerns and questions.
“Our detectives are working tirelessly, with diligence and professionalism, to seek the answer to all of those questions.
“When we are able to, we will provide further information.”
The Prime Minister visited Liverpool on Wednesday, 28 May, to speak to police chiefs about the incident.
Sir Keir Starmer travelled to the force headquarters in Liverpool to meet Deputy Chief Constable Chris Green, Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims, Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell and Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region Steve Rotheram.
He told the meeting: “The scenes on Monday were just awful, to see how incredible joy at an amazing achievement turned to horror in a moment.
“Steve, the mayor, has been keeping me informed and updated along with my team but it’s really important to be here to go through this first hand with you, so thank you for making time and ensuring that I get to see the detail in the way that I’d like to.”
A fundraising campaign set up for those affected has raised more than £20,000, including a £10,000 donation from the Jamie Carragher 23 Foundation, the former Liverpool player’s charity.
Messages of support have been sent to the people of Liverpool, including from the King who said: “I know that the strength of community spirit for which your city is renowned will be a comfort and support to those in need.”
The Prince and Princess of Wales also said they were “deeply saddened” by the parade crash, adding: “What should have been a joyful celebration ended with tragedy.”
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