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An ex- Royal Marines Commando acted as a “person consumed by fury” when he mowed down scores of Liverpool football club supporters during a victory parade, an incident many initially feared to be a terrorist attack, a court has heard.

“The video was profoundly upsetting.”

Those injured of Paul Doyle wept as dashcam footage depicted people being thrown into the air while he sped towards the gathering while screaming: “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 offences against 29 victims, including eight minors.

‘Consumed by Anger’

Prosecutors warned the court that the footage from Doyle’s large people carrier was “extremely graphic”. The recording revealed the parent shouting “expletives” and “move out of the way” as he drove towards hundreds of fans, with people frantically dragging children to safety as he blasted the horn.

It was stated in court that Doyle acted as 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.

Extent of the Injuries

In total, the former Royal Marine injured 134 people in just seven minutes – with over fifty requiring hospital care. A six-month-old boy was “miraculously” unharmed even though he was left on the roadway when Doyle’s car hit his pram, the court heard.

A supporter, a man named in court, was seen being launched into the air by the car, suffering a cut to the back of his head, broken ribs and multiple abrasions.

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

Scene of Jubilation Turns to Horror

Speaking to a full court, lawyers said about 1 million people had attended “an event they believed to be a day of joyfulness” marking the football club’s championship win. Scenes of jubilation turned to “terror”, the prosecutor said, when the driver entered the crowd as he attempted to pick up a friend who had been at the parade.

“Some at the scene thought that what was taking place was a terrorist attack.”

Rampage Halted by Heroic Act

With injured people on the street, Doyle’s rampage was brought to a halt by a former soldier, a man identified in court, who climbed into a rear passenger seat and forced the gearstick into park. Even then, Doyle kept his foot on the accelerator, the court heard.

During questioning, the defendant claimed he reacted 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: “In a rage, he drove into the crowd and as he did so his intent was to cause serious injury.”

Reckless Behavior Before the Attack

Footage indicated Doyle was driving recklessly before he reached the city centre, overtaking cars dangerously and running red lights. He disregarded road closures and weaved around other vehicles, including an ambulance and police cars, as he approached the packed streets.

Doyle is understood to be facing a prison sentence of more than 10 years when he is sentenced on Tuesday.