Suspect in tears in court after car allegedly driven into pedestrians outside pub

Liam Naylor has been charged with a series of alleged offences after a 61-year-old man was seriously injured in the incident

A man has appeared in court after a car was allegedly driven into a number of pedestrians outside a pub. Merseyside Police were called to the Queens Arms, on Blackblow Brow in Huyton, shortly before 6.30pm on Sunday after receiving reports of a white Ford Focus colliding with several members of the public before making off from the scene.

A 61-year-old man suffered a serious injury to his ankle during the incident and remained in hospital as of yesterday evening. Officers later located the vehicle and arrested a suspect. Liam Naylor, of Fairclough Avenue in Huyton, has since been charged two counts of wounding with intent against John Amore and a second, unnamed member of the public, causing serious injury by dangerous driving, dangerous driving, fail to stop after an accident, drink driving and failing to provide a specimen for analysis.

The 30-year-old appeared before Liverpool Magistrates’ Court this afternoon, Tuesday, in order to face these counts.

Appearing in the dock wearing a grey prison issue jumper, sporting short dark hair and supported by a man and two women in the public gallery, he spoke only to confirm his name, address and date of birth during a roughly half hour hearing and was not asked to enter any pleas. His case was sent to Liverpool Crown Court due to the seriousness of the alleged offences.

Naylor wiped away tears as the panel of magistrates released him on bail, with conditions including not to enter the Queens Arms and not to drive a motor vehicle, ahead of his next appearance on July 15. His mum and partner were also visibly emotional as the defendant was freed from custody.

Detective Chief Inspector Louise Hooley previously said: “We are in the early stages of the investigation as we seek to establish the full circumstances which led to the collision. I would appeal to anyone who has information or witnessed the collision to please contact us. In addition, I ask people in the area to please check your CCTV and dashcam footage to see if it may have captured a white Ford Focus to help with the investigation.”