Man Who Ploughed Through LFC Parade Was ‘Consumed by Rage’, Trial Hears.

A former Royal Marines Commando was a “man in a rage” as he drove into dozens of Liverpool football club fans during a victory parade, in what many feared was a act of terrorism, according to court proceedings.

Victims of Paul Doyle cried while video from the car’s camera depicted people being thrown into the air as he accelerated into crowds and shouted: “Get out of the way!”

The 54-year-old defendant is due to be sentenced on Tuesday after pleading guilty on the first day of his trial last month to 31 criminal charges involving 29 victims, including eight minors.

‘Consumed by Anger’

Prosecutors stated those in court that the footage from Doyle’s two-tonne Ford Galaxy proved to be “truly shocking”. The recording revealed the parent yelling “expletives” as well as “move out of the way” as he drove towards a large crowd of supporters, some pulling children out of the way as his car horn blared.

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

Extent of the Injuries

Overall, the former Royal Marine hurt 134 individuals within a mere seven-minute span – including more than 50 who needed hospital treatment. A six-month-old boy was “remarkably” unharmed despite being left splayed on the road when Doyle’s car hit his pram, according to testimony.

One fan, Simon Nash, was shown being thrown into the air by the vehicle, sustaining a laceration to the back of his head, broken ribs and multiple abrasions.

Doyle was heard screaming “for God’s sake move! Get out my fucking way!” 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, lawyers said about 1 million people had attended “what they thought would be a day of joyfulness” to celebrate the football club’s championship win. Scenes of jubilation turned to “terror”, it was said, as Doyle drove into oncoming fans while trying to collect a companion who had been at the parade.

Rampage Halted by Heroic Act

As bodies lay on the ground, 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. Even then, Doyle continued pressing the gas pedal, the court heard.

During questioning, Doyle claimed he reacted in a “blind panic” because he feared for his life. Yet, the prosecution argued that the dashcam footage demonstrated the defendant “simply lost control 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 he intended to cause them serious harm.”

Reckless Behavior Before the Attack

Footage showed Doyle was driving recklessly prior to entering downtown, overtaking cars dangerously and running red lights. He disregarded road closures and weaved around other cars, 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 at his sentencing hearing.