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An ex- Royal Marine was a “man in a rage” as he drove into scores of Liverpool football club supporters at a championship celebration, an incident many initially feared to be a act of terrorism, a court has heard.

“The video was profoundly upsetting.”

Victims of Paul Doyle cried as video from the car’s camera showed bodies spinning through the air while he sped towards the gathering while screaming: “Get out of the way!”

Doyle, 54, is due to be sentenced on Tuesday after pleading guilty on the first day of his trial last month to 31 criminal charges against 29 victims, including eight minors.

‘Consumed by Anger’

The prosecution stated the court that the video evidence from the defendant’s two-tonne Ford Galaxy proved to be “truly shocking”. The recording revealed the parent yelling “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.

It was stated in court that Doyle was a “man in a rage whose anger had completely taken hold of him” as he continued driving into the mass of people, accelerating while individuals were struck by his vehicle.

Scale of the Carnage

In total, the former Royal Marine hurt 134 people within a mere seven-minute span – including more than 50 who needed hospital treatment. A six-month-old boy was “remarkably” uninjured despite being left splayed on the road when Doyle’s car hit his pram, according to testimony.

A supporter, a man named in court, was shown being thrown into the air by the vehicle, sustaining a laceration on his head, broken ribs and multiple abrasions.

The defendant was heard screaming “fuck’s sake move! Get out my fucking way!” before ploughing further into screaming supporters, including an elderly woman and children who were dragged under the car.

Celebration Descends into Chaos

Addressing a packed courtroom, the prosecution said about 1 million people 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 believed what was taking place constituted a terrorist incident.”

Brave Intervention Stops Driver

As bodies lay on the ground, the vehicle’s path was brought to a halt by a former soldier, Dan Barr, who climbed into a rear passenger seat and forced the gearstick into park. Despite this, Doyle continued pressing the gas pedal, according to evidence.

During questioning, Doyle claimed he acted in a “state of sheer panic” because he feared for his life. Yet, the prosecution argued that the dashcam footage showed the defendant “just lost his temper in his determination to reach his destination”. It was further stated: “Consumed by anger, he drove into the crowd and in doing so he intended to cause them serious harm.”

Reckless Behavior Before the Attack

The video showed the driver had been driving dangerously prior to entering downtown, overtaking cars dangerously and jumping red lights. He disregarded road closures and bypassed other vehicles, including an ambulance and police cars, as he entered the crowds.

Doyle is expected to receive a jail term of over a decade at his sentencing hearing.