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A former Royal Marines Commando was a “man in a rage” as he mowed down dozens of LFC supporters during a championship celebration, an incident many initially feared to be a terrorist attack, according to court proceedings.

“The footage is truly shocking.”

Victims of Paul Doyle cried while video from the car’s camera depicted people being thrown into the air as he accelerated into crowds and shouted: “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.

‘A Man in a Rage’

The prosecution stated those in court that the video evidence from the defendant’s large people carrier proved to be “truly shocking”. It showed the father of three shouting “fucking pricks” and “move out of the way” while he headed straight for a large crowd of supporters, some pulling children out of the way as his car horn blared.

The court was told that Doyle was a “man in a rage had completely overpowered him” as he ploughed further into the crowd, speeding up while individuals were struck by his vehicle.

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 even though he was left on the roadway after the vehicle struck his stroller, the court heard.

One fan, Simon Nash, was shown being thrown into the air by the car, sustaining a cut to the back of his head, rib fractures and multiple abrasions.

Doyle could be heard shouting “for God’s sake move! Get out my fucking way!” before ploughing further into screaming supporters, including an elderly woman and children who became trapped beneath the vehicle.

Celebration Descends into Chaos

Speaking to a full court, lawyers said approximately a million individuals were present at “an event they believed to be a joyous occasion” to celebrate Liverpool winning their 20th league title. The celebratory atmosphere swiftly became “terror”, it was said, when the driver entered the crowd while trying to collect a companion who had been at the parade.

“Witnesses thought that what was taking place constituted a terrorist incident.”

Rampage Halted by Heroic Act

With injured people on the street, the vehicle’s path was brought to a halt by an ex-army member, Dan Barr, who climbed into a rear passenger seat and held the car’s gear selector in “park”. Even then, Doyle continued pressing the gas pedal, according to evidence.

In his police interview, the defendant claimed he acted in a “blind panic” due to a fear for his safety. However, prosecutors contended that the dashcam footage demonstrated the defendant “simply lost control in his determination to reach his destination”. It was further stated: “In a rage, he targeted the crowd and in doing so he intended to cause them serious harm.”

Dangerous Driving Prior to Incident

The video showed Doyle had been driving dangerously before he reached the city centre, overtaking cars dangerously and jumping red lights. He ignored road closures and bypassed other cars, even emergency service vehicles, as he approached the packed streets.

The defendant is understood to be facing a prison sentence of more than 10 years at his sentencing hearing.