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An ex- Royal Marine was a “man in a rage” when he mowed down dozens of Liverpool football club supporters at a victory parade, an incident many initially feared to be a terrorist attack, according to court proceedings.

“The footage was profoundly upsetting.”

Victims in the incident cried while video from the car’s camera depicted people being thrown into the air as he accelerated into crowds and shouted: “Fucking hell, move!”

Doyle, 54, is due to be sentenced on Tuesday following his guilty plea at the start of his trial last month to 31 offences involving 21 adults and eight children.

‘Consumed by Anger’

Prosecutors warned those in court that the footage from the defendant’s large people carrier proved to be “truly shocking”. It showed the parent yelling “expletives” and “move out of the way” as he drove towards hundreds of fans, 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 continued driving into the mass of people, speeding up as people collided with his car.

Scale of the Carnage

Overall, the former Royal Marine hurt 134 people in just seven minutes – including more than 50 who needed hospital treatment. An infant was “remarkably” unharmed even though he was left on the roadway 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 cut to the back of his head, broken ribs and multiple abrasions.

The defendant was heard screaming “fuck’s sake move! Get out of my path!” prior to driving deeper into panicked fans, among them an older woman and young children who became trapped beneath the vehicle.

Scene of Jubilation Turns to Horror

Addressing a packed courtroom, the prosecution said about 1 million people were present at “what they thought would be a joyous occasion” to celebrate the football club’s championship win. Scenes of jubilation turned to “horror”, the prosecutor said, when the driver entered the crowd while trying to collect a companion who had been at the parade.

“Some at the scene believed the events unfolding was a terrorist attack.”

Brave Intervention Stops Driver

As bodies lay on the ground, Doyle’s rampage was brought to a halt by an ex-army member, a man identified in court, who entered the back of the car and held the car’s gear selector in “park”. Despite this, Doyle continued pressing the gas pedal, the court heard.

During questioning, Doyle claimed he acted in a “blind panic” due to a fear for his safety. However, the prosecution argued that the dashcam footage showed Doyle “just lost his temper in his desire to get to where he wanted to get to”. It was further stated: “Consumed by anger, he drove into the crowd and in doing so his intent was to cause serious injury.”

Dangerous Driving Prior to Incident

The video indicated the driver had been driving dangerously before he reached the city centre, undertaking cars at speed and jumping red lights. He ignored traffic diversion measures and weaved around other cars, including an ambulance and police cars, as he approached the packed streets.

The defendant is understood to be facing a prison sentence of more than 10 years when he is sentenced on Tuesday.