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An ex- Royal Marines Commando acted as a “man in a rage” as he drove into scores of Liverpool football club fans during a championship celebration, an incident many initially feared to be a act of terrorism, according to court proceedings.

“The video was deeply disturbing.”

Those injured in the incident cried as video from the car’s camera showed bodies spinning through the air as he accelerated into crowds while screaming: “Fucking hell, move!”

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.

‘A Man in a Rage’

The prosecution warned the court that the video evidence from Doyle’s large people carrier was “extremely graphic”. It showed the parent shouting “expletives” as well as “fucking move” 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 “man in a rage whose anger had completely taken hold of him” as he continued driving into the mass of people, speeding up while individuals were struck by his vehicle.

Extent of the Injuries

Overall, the former Royal Marine injured 134 people within a mere seven-minute span – including more than 50 who needed hospital treatment. A six-month-old boy was “remarkably” unharmed even though he was left on the roadway after the vehicle struck his stroller, the court heard.

A supporter, a man named in court, was seen being launched into the air by the car, suffering a cut on his head, rib fractures and multiple abrasions.

Doyle could be heard shouting “for God’s sake move! Get out of my path!” prior to driving deeper into screaming supporters, including an elderly woman and children who were dragged under the car.

Celebration Descends into Chaos

Speaking to a full court, the prosecution said approximately a million individuals were present at “what they thought would be a day of joyfulness” to celebrate the football club’s championship win. The celebratory atmosphere turned to “terror”, the prosecutor said, as Doyle drove into oncoming fans while trying to collect a companion who had been at the parade.

“Witnesses believed the events unfolding constituted a terrorist incident.”

Rampage Halted by Heroic Act

With injured people on the street, the vehicle’s path was stopped by a former soldier, Dan Barr, who entered the back of the car and forced the gearstick into park. Even then, Doyle continued pressing the gas pedal, according to evidence.

In his police interview, Doyle claimed he reacted in a “blind panic” because he feared for his life. Yet, prosecutors contended that the dashcam footage showed Doyle “just lost his temper in his desire to get to where he wanted to get to”. It was further stated: “In a rage, he targeted the crowd and in doing so his intent was to cause serious injury.”

Reckless Behavior Before the Attack

Footage showed the driver had been driving dangerously before he reached the city centre, overtaking cars dangerously and running red lights. He disregarded road closures and weaved around other vehicles, even emergency service vehicles, as he approached the packed streets.

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