Paul Doyle sentencing live: Liverpool parade attacker bit off man’s ear in ‘drunken sailor fight’
‘Hero’ ex-soldier who climbed into Paul Doyle’s car to stop Liverpool parade rampage says ‘I’d do it again’
A “hero” former soldier who climbed into the passenger seat of Paul Doyle’s car and brought his anger-fuelled rampage at the Liverpool FC victory parade to a stop has said he would “do it again”.
Daniel Barr managed to move the gearstick to park mode and said that Doyle could not have prevented him even if he had “chopped my arm off”.
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Holly Evans16 December 2025 13:10
Loved ones of attacker ‘bewildered’ by his actions
Prior to his sentence being passed, the court has heard that Doyle is a “devoted husband and father”, and has been described by his friends and family as having led a “disciplined and responsible life for many years”.
“These people are as bewildered as everyone else by the shocking events of 26th of May and describing it as wholly out of character.”
Holly Evans16 December 2025 13:09
Doyle sentenced to prison for 21 years and six months
There are whispered cheers among a couple of victims as Doyle is given a jail term of 21 years and six months in prison.
Alex Ross16 December 2025 13:04
Sentence will be ‘devastating’ for Doyle’s family
Addressing Doyle’s family, Judge Menary says: “The sentence will have devastating impact on you and more importantly your wife and children.”
Judge Menary then says that Doyle will not get an increased deduction of 10 per cent from his sentence after his guilty plea, on the second day of the trial.
Alex Ross16 December 2025 13:02
‘Perhaps [you] always had issues of temper’ – Judge to Doyle
Judge Menary is now going over Doyle’s convictions as a young man, when he was jailed for 12 months after biting a man’s ear off.
But he says Doyle “turned his life around” since his release of jail, and is now married and had a successful career.
He says: “Although you are not a man of previous good character and perhaps always had issues of temper, you have not committed an offence for many years.”
Alex Ross16 December 2025 13:00
Doyle showed ‘inexplicable and undiluted fury’
Earlier, Judge Menary said Paul Doyle acted in an “inexplicable and undiluted fury” when he ploughed into crowds at Liverpool’s victory parade.
He said: “A number of witnesses, including serving police officers, describe you continuing to press the accelerator, even when people were visibly underneath the car.
“Your shouted expressions of frustration underline your state of mind at the time – not fear or panic, but an inexplicable and undiluted fury.”
Recorder of Liverpool Judge Andrew Menary described the dashcam footage as ‘truly shocking’ (PA Video)
Holly Evans16 December 2025 12:58
‘Each time you could have stopped but you chose to continue’
Judge Andrew Menary KC said that during two minutes, Paul Doyle drove his vehicle into and over more than 100 people.
He said: “You paused twice during this rampage. Each time you could have stopped but you chose to continue.”
The judge went on to say: “Several people became trapped beneath the vehicle as you continued to move it.”
Holly Evans16 December 2025 12:56
Sentencing ‘far from straight forward’ – Judge
Due to the number of victims and seriousness of the case, Judge Menary says the sentencing is “far from straight forward”.
He says: “The truth as captured on your dashcam is that you lost your temper in a rage, determined to force your way through the crowd regardless of consequences.
“You admit you intend to cause serious harm to that end, even to children.”
Alex Ross16 December 2025 12:56
Tense atmosphere in court as victims’ names read out
As Judge Meanary goes through each of the victims, there is notable reaction from some of those in court.
Some hold each other, one person shakes their head and another looks straight at Doyle in the dock.
This is understandably a tense moment many have been waiting for, in the hope they finally get closure.
Alex Ross16 December 2025 12:53
Doyle had shown ‘impatience and arrogance’
Earlier, Judge Andrew Menary KC told Paul Doyle: “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.”
The judge said that on Dale Street Doyle’s driving was “aggressive and dangerous”, telling him: “You frightened pedestrians, leaning on your horn and shouting obscenities such as ‘get out of the f****** way’.”
Paul Doyle in the dock at Liverpool Crown Court (PA)
Alex Ross16 December 2025 12:49
