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A former Royal Marines Commando was a “man in a rage” when he drove into dozens of Liverpool football club fans at a championship celebration, an incident many initially feared to be a terrorist attack, a court has heard.

“The footage is deeply disturbing.”

Those injured of Paul Doyle wept 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 following his guilty plea on the first day of his trial last month to 31 offences against 21 adults and eight children.

‘Consumed by Anger’

The prosecution stated the court that the footage from Doyle’s two-tonne Ford Galaxy was “extremely graphic”. The recording revealed the parent yelling “expletives” as well as “fucking move” as he drove towards 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 “individual whose anger had completely overpowered him” as he ploughed further into the crowd, accelerating while individuals were struck by his vehicle.

Scale of the Carnage

Overall, the former Royal Marine hurt 134 individuals in just seven minutes – with over fifty who needed hospital treatment. A six-month-old boy was “miraculously” uninjured 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 vehicle, suffering a cut to the back of his head, broken ribs and multiple abrasions.

Doyle was heard screaming “fuck’s sake move! Get out my fucking way!” prior to driving deeper into screaming supporters, including an elderly woman and children who were dragged under the car.

Scene of Jubilation Turns to Horror

Addressing a packed courtroom, lawyers said approximately a million individuals were present at “an event they believed to be a day of joyfulness” marking Liverpool winning their 20th league title. Scenes of jubilation turned to “horror”, the prosecutor said, as Doyle drove into oncoming fans as he attempted to pick up a friend who had been at the parade.

“Witnesses thought that what was taking place was a terrorist attack.”

Rampage Halted by Heroic Act

As bodies lay on the ground, the vehicle’s path 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. Despite this, Doyle kept his foot on the accelerator, according to evidence.

In his police interview, Doyle claimed he reacted in a “blind panic” due to a fear for his safety. Yet, prosecutors contended that the dashcam footage showed Doyle “just lost his temper in his determination to reach his destination”. It was further stated: “In a rage, he targeted the crowd and in doing so he intended to cause them serious harm.”

Reckless Behavior Before the Attack

Footage showed the driver was driving recklessly before he reached the city centre, overtaking cars dangerously and jumping red lights. He ignored traffic diversion measures and bypassed other cars, including an ambulance and police cars, as he entered the crowds.

Doyle is understood to be facing a prison sentence of more than 10 years at his sentencing hearing.