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An ex- Royal Marines Commando was a “man in a rage” when he drove into scores of LFC fans at a championship celebration, an incident many initially feared to be a terrorist attack, according to court proceedings.

“The footage is truly shocking.”

Those injured of Paul Doyle wept while dashcam footage depicted bodies spinning through the air while he sped towards the gathering while screaming: “Get out of the way!”

Doyle, 54, will learn his fate on Tuesday following his guilty plea at the start of his trial last month to 31 criminal charges involving 29 victims, including eight minors.

‘A Man in a Rage’

Prosecutors warned the court that the video evidence from Doyle’s large people carrier proved to be “extremely graphic”. It showed 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.

The court was told that Doyle acted as a “individual whose anger 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.

Extent of the Injuries

Overall, the former Royal Marine hurt 134 people within a mere seven-minute span – with over fifty who needed hospital treatment. A six-month-old boy was “miraculously” uninjured despite being left splayed on the road after the vehicle struck his stroller, the court heard.

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

Doyle was heard screaming “for God’s sake move! Get out my fucking way!” before ploughing further into screaming supporters, among them an older woman and young children who became trapped beneath the vehicle.

Celebration Descends into Chaos

Speaking to a full court, lawyers said about 1 million people were present at “an event they believed to be a joyous occasion” marking Liverpool winning their 20th league title. Scenes of jubilation swiftly became “horror”, it was said, as Doyle drove into oncoming fans while trying to collect a companion from the parade route.

“Some at the scene thought that what was taking place was a terrorist attack.”

Rampage Halted by Heroic Act

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 forced the gearstick into park. Even then, Doyle continued pressing the gas pedal, according to evidence.

In his police interview, the defendant claimed he reacted in a “state of sheer panic” because he feared for his life. However, the prosecution argued that the video demonstrated the defendant “simply lost control in his desire to get to where he wanted to get to”. The prosecutor added: “In a rage, he drove into the crowd and in doing so he intended to cause them serious harm.”

Reckless Behavior Before the Attack

The video indicated Doyle had been driving dangerously prior to entering downtown, overtaking cars dangerously and running red lights. He ignored road closures and bypassed other cars, including an ambulance and police cars, as he entered the crowds.

Doyle is expected to receive a prison sentence of over a decade at his sentencing hearing.