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A former Royal Marines Commando was a “man in a rage” as he drove into dozens of Liverpool football club supporters at a victory parade, 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 while dashcam footage depicted people being thrown into the air as he accelerated into crowds and shouted: “Fucking hell, move!”

Doyle, 54, will learn his fate on Tuesday after pleading guilty on the first day of his trial last month to 31 criminal charges involving 21 adults and eight children.

‘Consumed by Anger’

The prosecution stated those in court that the video evidence from Doyle’s two-tonne Ford Galaxy was “truly shocking”. It showed the father of three yelling “fucking pricks” as well as “move out of the way” as he drove towards hundreds of fans, with people frantically dragging children to safety as his car horn blared.

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

Scale of the Carnage

Overall, the ex-marine hurt 134 people in just seven minutes – with over fifty who needed hospital treatment. A six-month-old boy was “remarkably” uninjured even though he was left on the roadway when Doyle’s car hit his pram, according to testimony.

One fan, a man named in court, was seen being launched into the air by the car, sustaining a laceration on his head, rib fractures and numerous scrapes.

The defendant was heard screaming “fuck’s sake move! Get out of my path!” before ploughing further into screaming supporters, including an elderly woman and 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 “what they thought would be a joyous occasion” marking Liverpool winning their 20th league title. Scenes of jubilation 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.”

Rampage Halted by Heroic Act

With injured people on the street, the vehicle’s path was brought to a halt by an ex-army member, a man identified in court, who climbed into a rear passenger seat and forced the gearstick into park. Even then, Doyle continued pressing the gas pedal, the court heard.

In his police interview, Doyle claimed he acted in a “state of sheer panic” due to a fear for his safety. Yet, the prosecution argued that the video demonstrated the defendant “simply lost control in his desire to get to where he wanted to get to”. It was further stated: “Consumed by anger, he drove into the crowd and as he did so he intended to cause them serious harm.”

Reckless Behavior Before the Attack

Footage indicated the driver had been driving dangerously prior to entering downtown, undertaking cars at speed and running red lights. He ignored traffic diversion measures and bypassed other cars, even emergency service vehicles, as he entered the crowds.

Doyle is expected to receive a jail term of more than 10 years when he is sentenced on Tuesday.