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An ex- Royal Marine was a “man in a rage” as he mowed down dozens of Liverpool football club fans during a championship celebration, an incident many initially feared to be a act of terrorism, a court has heard.

“The video is deeply disturbing.”

Those injured in the incident cried while video from the car’s camera depicted bodies spinning through the air as he accelerated into crowds and shouted: “Get out of the way!”

The 54-year-old defendant will learn his fate on Tuesday following his guilty plea on the first day of his trial last month to 31 criminal charges involving 29 victims, including eight minors.

‘Consumed by Anger’

Prosecutors warned those in court that the video evidence from the defendant’s two-tonne Ford Galaxy proved to be “extremely graphic”. It showed the father of three shouting “expletives” and “fucking move” as he drove towards hundreds of fans, some pulling children out of the way as his car horn blared.

The court was told 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 as people collided with his car.

Scale of the Carnage

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

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

The defendant was heard screaming “for God’s sake move! Get out my fucking way!” before ploughing further into screaming supporters, including an elderly woman and children who were dragged under the car.

Scene of Jubilation Turns to Horror

Speaking to a full court, the prosecution said approximately a million individuals had attended “an event they believed to be a joyous occasion” to celebrate Liverpool winning their 20th league title. Scenes of jubilation swiftly became “terror”, the prosecutor said, as Doyle drove into oncoming fans as he attempted to pick up a friend who had been at the parade.

“Some at the scene thought that the events unfolding was a terrorist attack.”

Brave Intervention Stops Driver

With injured people on the street, Doyle’s rampage was stopped by an ex-army member, a man identified in court, who climbed into a rear passenger seat and forced the gearstick into park. Despite this, Doyle continued pressing the gas pedal, according to evidence.

In his police interview, Doyle stated he reacted in a “blind panic” because he feared for his life. However, the prosecution argued that the video showed Doyle “just lost his temper in his desire to get to where he wanted to get to”. The prosecutor added: “In a rage, he drove into the crowd and in doing so his intent was to cause serious injury.”

Reckless Behavior Before the Attack

Footage indicated Doyle was driving recklessly prior to entering downtown, undertaking cars at speed 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 expected to receive a prison sentence of over a decade at his sentencing hearing.