The sentencing hearing of Paul Doyle has now started at Liverpool Crown Court.

As a reminder, the hearing will take place over two days, so Doyle will not receive his sentence until tomorrow.

But we’re still expecting plenty from the courtroom today, including victim impact statements from some of those injured on 26 May.

Doyle silent with head bowed as details of day described in court

Paul Doyle was asked to stand by Recorder of Liverpool Judge Andrew Menary KC as the hearing got under way.

The defendant, wearing a dark suit jacket and tie, only nodded when asked to confirm his identity, and kept his head lowered to the ground.

He had a tissue in his hand, which he held to his face at times.

More than 30 victims are in court for the hearing, with others in another room in the building, according to the Press Association.

‘From an early stage, he drove dangerously’: Prosecutor describes Doyle using ‘vehicle as weapon’

Today’s hearing starts with an opening statement by prosecutor Paul Greaney KC.

He starts by outlining the events of 26 May, which he says started as “a day of great joy”.

He says Paul Doyle was driving into central Liverpool to pick up friends who had attended the parade celebrating Liverpool FC’s Premier League title win.

“From an early stage, he drove dangerously, frightening people as he did so.”

The defendant drove his car against the flow of pedestrians on Water Street, Greaney adds, “ignoring traffic measures diverting the flow of traffic”.

Less than two minutes later, he says, the car was stationary and fans were attempting to pull the defendant from the vehicle.

“What had happened in that short period, between 5.59pm and 6.01pm, is the defendant had driven his vehicle into a crowd of people, causing injuries, including serious injuries to many.”

He says the prosecution believes Doyle “used his vehicle as a weapon during that time”.

“He not only caused injury on a large scale, but also caused horror for those who attended what they thought was a joyful celebration.”

Prosecutor: ‘The truth is a simple one – Doyle lost his temper’

Prosecutor Paul Greaney KC says some people at the scene on 26 May “thought that what was taking place was a terrorist attack”.

However, the prosecution ruled out that the defendant’s actions were “driven by ideology”.

Police investigations showed there was no problem with the vehicle, and Doyle was completely sober and “free of all drugs”, Greaney says.

“The truth is a simple one – Paul Doyle just lost his temper in his desire to get to where he wanted to get to. 

“In a rage, he drove into the crowd,” he adds.