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An ex- Royal Marine was a “man in a rage” as he drove into dozens of Liverpool football club fans during a victory parade, an incident many initially feared to be a act of terrorism, according to court proceedings.

“The footage is profoundly upsetting.”

Those injured in the incident cried while dashcam footage depicted people being thrown into the air while he sped towards the gathering while screaming: “Get out of the way!”

The 54-year-old defendant is due to be sentenced on Tuesday after pleading guilty on the first day of his trial last month to 31 offences involving 29 victims, including eight minors.

‘Consumed by Anger’

Prosecutors stated the court that the video evidence from the defendant’s large people carrier proved to be “truly shocking”. It showed the father of three shouting “expletives” as well as “move out of the way” as he drove towards hundreds of fans, with people frantically dragging children to safety as his car horn blared.

The court was told that Doyle acted as a “man in a rage had completely overpowered him” as he ploughed further into the crowd, speeding up as people collided with his car.

Extent of the Injuries

Overall, the former Royal Marine injured 134 people within a mere seven-minute span – with over fifty requiring hospital care. An infant was “miraculously” uninjured despite being left splayed on the road when Doyle’s car hit his pram, the court heard.

A supporter, Simon Nash, was seen being launched into the air by the car, suffering a laceration on his head, rib fractures and numerous scrapes.

The defendant was heard screaming “for God’s sake move! Get out of my path!” before ploughing further into panicked fans, including an elderly woman and children who became trapped beneath the vehicle.

Scene of Jubilation Turns to Horror

Addressing a packed courtroom, lawyers said about 1 million people had attended “an event they believed to be a day of joyfulness” to celebrate the football club’s championship win. The celebratory atmosphere turned to “horror”, the prosecutor said, when the driver entered the crowd while trying to collect a companion who had been at the parade.

“Witnesses thought that the events unfolding was a terrorist attack.”

Rampage Halted by Heroic Act

As bodies lay on the ground, the vehicle’s path was stopped by a former soldier, a man identified in court, who entered the back of the car and held the car’s gear selector in “park”. Even then, Doyle continued pressing the gas pedal, the court heard.

In his police interview, the defendant stated he acted in a “state of sheer panic” due to a fear for his safety. However, prosecutors contended that the video showed Doyle “just lost his temper in his determination to reach his destination”. It was further stated: “In a rage, he drove into the crowd and as he did so his intent was to cause serious injury.”

Reckless Behavior Before the Attack

Footage showed Doyle was driving recklessly before he reached the city centre, overtaking cars dangerously and running red lights. He disregarded road closures and bypassed other cars, even emergency service vehicles, as he entered the crowds.

The defendant is expected to receive a prison sentence of more than 10 years when he is sentenced on Tuesday.