Liverpool Parade Attack: Driver Sentenced to 21+ Years for Horrific Crash
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LONDON - A driver who deliberately rammed his car into a crowd of Liverpool soccer fans celebrating the team's Premier League championship has been sentenced to over 21 years in prison. Paul Doyle, 54, plowed his minivan through the sea of fans on May 26, injuring 130 people in a two-minute terror attack. Judge Andrew Menary described Doyle's actions as 'violent' and 'intentional', saying he had 'driven over limbs, crushed prams, and forced people to scatter in terror'. Prosecutors said Doyle had lost his temper because he was frustrated with the slow traffic and couldn't reach his friends who were attending the parade. The victims, ranging in age from 6 months to 77 years, suffered severe injuries, including a 16-year-old boy who has been unable to work due to nightmares and a 23-year-old man who had to learn how to walk again. A woman not from the area now experiences anxiety when she hears the Liverpool accent, while a mother of a die-hard Liverpool fan can no longer watch the team's matches. Doyle pleaded guilty to 31 charges, including dangerous driving and multiple counts of attempting or causing grievous bodily harm. He had previously led a troubled life, including a stint in the Royal Marines and a conviction for biting a sailor's ear off in a drunken fight. However, he claimed to have turned his life around and was remorseful for his actions. The court also praised Daniel Barr, a bystander who acted instinctively and stopped the vehicle, for his 'exceptional courage'. Barr, an army veteran and construction worker, downplayed his heroics, saying he would do it again. The High Sheriff's Award for Bravery was awarded to Barr for his actions, which prevented further carnage. Doyle's sentence is a result of the severity of his crimes and the impact they had on the victims and their families.