Paul Doyle, 53, is charged with seven offences in connection with the crash, which happened on Water Street in the city centre as thousands of fans were gathered for the Liverpool FC celebrations
Four people who were injured when a car was driven into crowds at Liverpool’s Premier League victory parade can be named after reporting restrictions were lifted by a court.
Paul Doyle, 53, is charged with seven offences in connection with the crash, which happened on Water Street in the city centre as thousands of fans were gathered for the football team celebrations just after 6pm on May 26. He is accused of the unlawful wounding with intent of Simon Nash, 52, causing grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent to Susan Passey, 77, and Christine Seeckts, 66, and the attempted GBH of Ethan Gillard, 18.
An order preventing publication of their identities was put in place when Doyle first appeared before magistrates in Liverpool on Friday.
On Tuesday, Recorder of Liverpool Judge Andrew Menary KC lifted restrictions, which had been made under Section 46 of the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999. In his reasoning he stated: “In my judgment, the public interest in open and accurate reporting outweighs the potential distress, anxiety or discomfort to these witnesses. The restriction is not necessary or proportionate, nor convincingly established.”
Doyle is charged with another count of wounding with intent and a second count of attempted GBH, which both relate to children, for whom reporting restrictions remain in place.
Doyle is also charged with dangerous driving. He is alleged to have driven his Ford Galaxy Titanium dangerously on roads between his home address in Burghill Road and Water Street. He was not required to attend the court hearing on Tuesday.
On Friday, Doyle appeared before magistrates in the morning, before a crown court appearance in the afternoon. Judge Menary fixed a trial date for November 24 and remanded the defendant in custody ahead of a plea hearing on August 14.
Earlier this week, Merseyside Police said the number of people reported injured after the incident had risen to 109. Four people remained in hospital on Monday.
Detective Superintendent Rachel Wilson previously said: “This is a complex and constantly evolving investigation and we are still working through and assessing those reporting being injured and our inquiries remain ongoing.
“I would like to thank everyone who has been in touch with us so far to give witness accounts or supply information or video footage. The response so far has been of great assistance in progressing the investigation.
“We have had more than 500 submissions to the Major Incident Police Portal (MIPP) and a team of detectives are currently working through the information provided. I would continue to appeal for anyone who has information and is yet to come forward to please get in touch as a matter of urgency.”
Those injured and their families are being supported by specialist officers and police are being assisted in the investigation by forces in Greater Manchester, Cumbria, Lancashire, North Wales and Cheshire.
Doyle is said to have been married to his wife for 20 years and is a father of three teenage sons. The family is reported to live in a £300,000 four-bedroom detached home on an estate. Photos on social media depict the family enjoying various holidays, including trips to Disneyland, Florida, Dubai and beach getaways.
