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An ex- Royal Marine was a “man in a rage” as he drove into scores of Liverpool football club fans at a victory parade, an incident many initially feared to be a act of terrorism, according to court proceedings.

“The footage was deeply disturbing.”

Victims in the incident cried while video from the car’s camera showed people being thrown into the air while he sped towards the gathering while screaming: “Fucking hell, move!”

The 54-year-old defendant is due to be sentenced on Tuesday following his guilty plea at the start of his trial last month to 31 offences against 21 adults and eight children.

‘A Man in a Rage’

Prosecutors 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 “expletives” and “move out of the way” while he headed straight for a large crowd of supporters, with people frantically dragging children to safety as his car horn blared.

The court was told that Doyle was a “individual whose anger had completely overpowered him” as he continued driving into the mass of people, speeding up as people collided with his car.

Extent of the Injuries

Overall, the ex-marine injured 134 people within a mere seven-minute span – including more than 50 who needed hospital treatment. An infant was “remarkably” unharmed despite being left splayed on the road after the vehicle struck his stroller, the court heard.

One fan, Simon Nash, was seen being launched into the air by the car, suffering a laceration to the back of his head, rib fractures and numerous scrapes.

The defendant was heard screaming “for God’s sake move! Get out my fucking way!” prior to driving deeper into screaming supporters, among them an older woman and young children who became trapped beneath the vehicle.

Scene of Jubilation Turns to Horror

Speaking to a full court, the prosecution said approximately a million individuals were present at “an event they believed to be a joyous occasion” marking the football club’s championship win. Scenes of jubilation turned to “horror”, it was said, as Doyle drove into oncoming fans while trying to collect a companion who had been at the parade.

“Witnesses thought that the events unfolding constituted a terrorist incident.”

Rampage Halted by Heroic Act

With injured people on the street, the vehicle’s path was stopped by a former soldier, a man identified in court, who climbed into a rear passenger seat and forced the gearstick into park. Despite this, Doyle kept his foot on the accelerator, the court heard.

During questioning, Doyle stated he reacted in a “blind panic” because he feared for his life. However, the prosecution argued that the dashcam footage demonstrated Doyle “just lost his temper in his determination to reach his destination”. The prosecutor added: “In a rage, he drove into the crowd and as he did so he intended to cause them serious harm.”

Dangerous Driving Prior to Incident

Footage indicated the driver 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 jail term of more than 10 years when he is sentenced on Tuesday.