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A former Royal Marine was a “man in a rage” when he mowed down dozens of Liverpool football club supporters at a championship celebration, in what many feared was a act of terrorism, according to court proceedings.

“The video was profoundly upsetting.”

Those injured of Paul Doyle cried as video from the car’s camera depicted bodies spinning through the air as he accelerated into crowds and shouted: “Fucking hell, move!”

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 involving 29 victims, including eight minors.

‘A Man in a Rage’

Prosecutors stated the court that the footage from Doyle’s two-tonne Ford Galaxy was “extremely graphic”. It showed the parent shouting “expletives” as well as “fucking move” while he headed straight for hundreds of fans, some pulling children out of the way as he blasted the horn.

The court was told that Doyle acted as a “man in a rage had completely overpowered him” as he continued driving into the mass of people, accelerating as people collided with his car.

Extent of the Injuries

Overall, the former Royal Marine hurt 134 people within a mere seven-minute span – with over fifty requiring hospital care. 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.

One fan, a man named in court, was shown being thrown into the air by the car, sustaining a cut on his head, broken ribs and multiple abrasions.

Doyle could be heard shouting “fuck’s sake move! Get out of my path!” prior to driving deeper into screaming supporters, including an elderly woman and children who became trapped beneath the vehicle.

Scene of Jubilation Turns to Horror

Addressing a packed courtroom, lawyers said approximately a million individuals were present at “what they thought would be a joyous occasion” to celebrate Liverpool winning their 20th league title. The celebratory atmosphere swiftly became “horror”, it was said, as Doyle drove into oncoming fans as he attempted to pick up a friend from the parade route.

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

Brave Intervention Stops Driver

With injured people on the street, the vehicle’s path was brought to a halt by a former soldier, Dan Barr, who entered the back of the car and held the car’s gear selector in “park”. Even then, Doyle kept his foot on the accelerator, the court heard.

In his police interview, the defendant claimed he acted in a “blind panic” because he feared for his life. Yet, prosecutors contended that the video showed Doyle “simply lost control in his determination to reach his destination”. It was further stated: “Consumed by anger, he targeted the crowd and in doing so his intent was to cause serious injury.”

Dangerous Driving Prior to Incident

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

Doyle is understood to be facing a jail term of over a decade at his sentencing hearing.