Paul Doyle has been sentenced to a total of 21 years and six months in prison for driving into crowds of Liverpool fans during the Premier League victory parade in May.
Judge Andrew Menary KC said the 54-year-old former Marine “used his vehicle as a weapon” after losing his temper, ploughing into more than 100 people on Water Street, swearing and shouting at people to get out if the way.
“A number of witnesses, including serving police officers, describe you continuing to press the accelerator, even when people were visibly underneath the car,” he added.
“Your shouted expressions of frustration underline your state of mind at the time – not fear or panic, but an inexplicable and undiluted fury.
“For no reason other than impatience and arrogance, your driving into the city was routinely dangerous.
“In poor weather conditions you repeatedly undertook other vehicles, took road hazards too quickly and drove through traffic lights at a junction.
“You frightened pedestrians, leaning on your horn and shouting obscenities such as ‘get out of the f****** way’.
“The position should be stated clearly: The crowd did not cause this incident, they reacted to it, faced with a vehicle being driven directly at them, reversing and striking multiple people,” the judge said.
“They had no idea who you were, why you were driving in this manner and whether this was an attack of an even more serious nature.”
He then went on to take the time to read out impact statements from many victims who were caught up in the attack, describing some horrendous injuries to so many of them.
The judge also commending the bravery of Daniel Barr, who managed to climb into the back of the car, lean forward and put the vehicle into neutral, thus saving many more injuries.
He says Mr Barr’s actions in stopping Doyle’s car likely “saved lives”.
“His conduct merits public recognition, I therefore make a High Sheriff’s award for bravery and a monetary award of £250.”
