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An ex- Royal Marines Commando acted as a “man in a rage” when he drove into scores of Liverpool football club fans during a championship celebration, in what many feared was a act of terrorism, a court has heard.

“The footage was truly shocking.”

Those injured of Paul Doyle wept as dashcam footage showed bodies spinning through the air as he accelerated into crowds and shouted: “Get out of the way!”

Doyle, 54, is due to be sentenced on Tuesday after pleading guilty at the start of his trial last month to 31 offences against 29 victims, including eight minors.

‘Consumed by Anger’

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

It was stated in court that Doyle acted as a “man in a rage whose anger had completely taken hold of him” as he ploughed further into the crowd, accelerating while individuals were struck by his vehicle.

Scale of the Carnage

In total, the ex-marine hurt 134 people within a mere seven-minute span – with over fifty requiring hospital care. An infant was “remarkably” uninjured even though he was left on the roadway after the vehicle struck his stroller, the court heard.

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

The defendant could be heard shouting “fuck’s sake move! Get out my fucking way!” before ploughing further into panicked fans, among them an older woman and young children who were dragged under the car.

Scene of Jubilation Turns to Horror

Speaking to a full court, lawyers said approximately a million individuals were present at “what they thought would be a day of joyfulness” marking the football club’s championship win. The celebratory atmosphere swiftly became “horror”, the prosecutor said, as Doyle drove into oncoming fans while trying to collect a companion from the parade route.

“Witnesses 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 held the car’s gear selector in “park”. Even then, Doyle kept his foot on the accelerator, the court heard.

During questioning, Doyle stated he acted in a “state of sheer panic” due to a fear for his safety. However, the prosecution argued that the dashcam footage showed the defendant “simply lost control in his determination to reach his destination”. The prosecutor added: “Consumed by anger, he drove into 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 running red lights. He disregarded traffic diversion measures and bypassed other vehicles, even emergency service vehicles, as he approached the packed streets.

Doyle is expected to receive a jail term of over a decade at his sentencing hearing.