A 54-year-old man has admitted responsibility for driving into crowds celebrating Liverpool Football Club's Premier League triumph, leaving more than 100 people injured, as the club have since released a statement.
Paul Doyle entered guilty pleas to all 31 charges against him at Liverpool Crown Court today, including dangerous driving and multiple counts of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent.
The incident occurred on 26 May when thousands gathered for the club's victory parade.
Fifty people required hospital treatment following the attack, with victims ranging from infants as young as six months to elderly supporters aged 77.
The court heard that 134 individuals suffered injuries during what prosecutors described as an act of "calculated violence".
The former Royal Marine from Croxteth drove his Ford Galaxy Titanium into pedestrians on Water Street shortly after 6pm.
Liverpool have released a statement after Paul Doyle entered guilty pleas to all 31 charges
|PA
Victims included a 78-year-old woman and children, with the youngest being just six months old.
Doyle, a father of three, wept in court as he changed his plea on the second day of his trial.
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He had initially denied all charges when proceedings began on Tuesday, but reversed his position after the prosecution was set to present its case.
The charges comprised dangerous driving, affray, seventeen counts of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent, nine counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, and three counts of wounding with intent.
Liverpool Football Club released an official statement expressing hope that the conviction would bring peace to those affected by the "horrific incident".
The club thanked emergency services and members of the public "who responded with such bravery and compassion on the day", adding: "Their actions undoubtedly saved lives and exemplified the spirit of our city."
Doyle is set to be sentenced on December 15 | CROWN PROSECUTION SERVICEChief Crown Prosecutor Sarah Hammond revealed that dashcam footage from Doyle's vehicle showed him becoming "increasingly agitated by the crowds" as he approached Dale Street and Water Street.
"Rather than wait for them to pass, he deliberately drove at them, forcing his way through," she stated.
"This was not a momentary lapse by Paul Doyle - it was a choice he made that day and it turned celebration into mayhem."
The incident on May 26 took place as Liverpool fans gathered in the city to celebrate the team's Premier League title win | PADoyle will face sentencing at a two-day hearing on 15 and 16 December at Liverpool Crown Court.
Judge Andrew Menary KC, the Recorder of Liverpool, warned him: "It is inevitable there will be a custodial sentence of some length and you should prepare yourself for that inevitability."
Detective Chief Inspector John Fitzgerald of Merseyside Police emphasised the gravity of the incident, stating: "In just seven minutes his dangerous driving meant that his car collided with more than 100 people, including children, in some cases trapping people underneath and causing serious injuries."
He added: "It is only by sheer luck that nobody was killed because of Doyle's reckless actions."