Parade crash charges treble as babies among alleged victims

A discarded child's toy and Liverpool flag lie on Water Street after the car ramming incident during Liverpool's victory parade (Illustrative image) (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images) Getty Images

Paul Doyle, 53, now faces 24 additional charges related to allegedly driving into crowds at Liverpool FC's Premier League victory parade on May 26. The new charges bring his total to 31 offences, with six of the new charges relating to children including two babies aged just six and seven months old.

Doyle appeared visibly emotional and in tears during Thursday's hearing at Liverpool Crown Court via video link from prison. He wore a grey T-shirt and did not enter any pleas during the 20-minute proceedings.

Children among alleged victims

The 23 new assault charges and one count of affray include allegations involving the youngest victims. Two babies were among those allegedly harmed, one aged six months at the time of the incident and another aged seven months.

Doyle was originally charged with seven offences after the incident on Water Street in Liverpool city centre just after 6pm. The BBC reports the incident involved "deliberate driving" into the crowds who were leaving the waterfront celebration.

Mass casualty incident

Over 130 people were injured when Doyle allegedly drove his Ford Galaxy Titanium into the crowds. The original charges included two counts of wounding with intent, two counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, two counts of attempted grievous bodily harm with intent and one count of dangerous driving.

A wounding charge and an attempted grievous bodily harm charge from the original indictment relate to children aged 11 and 17.

Court proceedings continue

Recorder of Liverpool Judge Andrew Menary KC adjourned the case until September 4, when Doyle is expected to enter pleas to all charges. Doyle, of Croxteth, Liverpool, remains in custody.

A provisional trial date was previously set for November 24, with proceedings expected to last three to four weeks. Defence barristers have requested additional time to consider the expanded charges.

Sources used: "bristolpost.co.uk", "Sky News", "BBC" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.