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A former Royal Marine was a “man in a rage” when he mowed down scores of Liverpool football club supporters during a championship celebration, in what many feared was a terrorist attack, according to court proceedings.

“The video is deeply disturbing.”

Victims of Paul Doyle cried while video from the car’s camera depicted people being thrown into the air while he sped towards the gathering while screaming: “Get out of the way!”

Doyle, 54, will learn his fate on Tuesday after pleading guilty on the first day of his trial last month to 31 offences against 29 victims, including eight minors.

‘A Man in a Rage’

Prosecutors warned the court that the video evidence from the defendant’s large people carrier was “truly shocking”. The recording revealed the parent shouting “fucking pricks” as well as “fucking move” 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 was a “man in a rage had completely overpowered him” as he ploughed further into the crowd, speeding up as people collided with his car.

Extent of the Injuries

Overall, the former Royal Marine injured 134 individuals in just seven minutes – with over fifty requiring hospital care. A six-month-old boy was “remarkably” uninjured despite being left splayed on the road after the vehicle struck his stroller, according to testimony.

A supporter, Simon Nash, was seen being launched into the air by the car, suffering a cut to the back of his head, rib fractures and multiple abrasions.

The defendant was heard screaming “fuck’s sake move! Get out of my path!” before ploughing further into screaming supporters, among them an older woman and young children who were dragged under the car.

Scene of Jubilation Turns to Horror

Addressing a packed courtroom, the prosecution said approximately a million individuals had attended “an event they believed to be a day of joyfulness” marking Liverpool winning their 20th league title. The celebratory atmosphere turned to “terror”, it was said, as Doyle drove into oncoming fans while trying to collect a companion from the parade route.

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

Rampage Halted by Heroic Act

With injured people on the street, Doyle’s rampage was brought to a halt by an ex-army member, a man identified in court, who climbed into a rear passenger seat and held the car’s gear selector in “park”. Despite this, Doyle continued pressing the gas pedal, according to evidence.

During questioning, the defendant stated he reacted in a “state of sheer panic” due to a fear for his safety. Yet, prosecutors contended that the video showed the defendant “just lost his temper in his desire to get to where he wanted to get to”. It was further stated: “Consumed by anger, he targeted the crowd and in doing so his intent was to cause serious injury.”

Dangerous Driving Prior to Incident

Footage showed the driver had been driving dangerously before he reached the city centre, undertaking cars at speed and jumping red lights. He disregarded road closures and weaved around other vehicles, even emergency service vehicles, as he entered the crowds.

The defendant is expected to receive a jail term of more than 10 years at his sentencing hearing.