Home / Crime and Justice / PTSD Diagnosis May Spare Parade Attacker Jail Time
PTSD Diagnosis May Spare Parade Attacker Jail Time
30 Nov
Summary
- Paul Doyle pleaded guilty to 31 charges, including attempted grievous bodily harm.
- He was diagnosed with PTSD while in custody awaiting trial.
- Doyle may be sent to a secure hospital for treatment instead of prison.
A former royal marine, Paul Doyle, 54, has pleaded guilty to all 31 charges stemming from the incident during Liverpool's victory parade. The charges include 17 counts of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent, affecting 12 adults and five children, including a six-month-old baby. Doyle also admitted to causing grievous bodily harm with intent to nine adults.
Ahead of his sentencing, Doyle was diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) while in custody. This diagnosis has led to speculation that he may be sent to a secure hospital for treatment, rather than serve a custodial sentence as initially indicated by the judge.
Psychologists who examined Doyle believe his PTSD diagnosis is genuine and that he would receive more therapeutic support in a hospital setting. The court previously warned Doyle of an inevitable custodial sentence, but the pending psychiatric evaluation could alter the final outcome of his case.
