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A former Royal Marine was a “person consumed by fury” when he drove into dozens of LFC fans during a championship celebration, an incident many initially feared to be a act of terrorism, a court has heard.

“The video is profoundly upsetting.”

Victims of Paul Doyle wept while video from the car’s camera showed bodies spinning through the air while he sped towards the gathering and shouted: “Get out of the way!”

Doyle, 54, will learn his fate on Tuesday after pleading guilty at the start of his trial last month to 31 criminal charges against 21 adults and eight children.

‘Consumed by Anger’

Prosecutors warned the court that the footage from Doyle’s large people carrier was “truly shocking”. It showed the father of three yelling “fucking pricks” as well as “move out of the way” 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 was a “individual whose anger whose anger had completely taken hold of him” as he continued driving into the mass of people, accelerating as people collided with his car.

Scale of the Carnage

Overall, the former Royal Marine hurt 134 people in just seven minutes – including more than 50 who needed hospital treatment. A six-month-old boy was “miraculously” unharmed even though he was left on the roadway after the vehicle struck his stroller, according to testimony.

A supporter, Simon Nash, was shown being thrown into the air by the vehicle, suffering a cut on his head, rib fractures and multiple abrasions.

The defendant was heard screaming “for God’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 about 1 million people were present at “an event they believed to be a joyous occasion” marking Liverpool winning their 20th league title. The celebratory atmosphere swiftly became “terror”, it was 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 believed the events unfolding was a terrorist attack.”

Brave Intervention Stops Driver

With injured people on the street, Doyle’s rampage was stopped by a former soldier, Dan Barr, who climbed into a rear passenger seat and forced the gearstick into park. Despite this, Doyle kept his foot on the accelerator, the court heard.

In his police interview, the defendant claimed he acted in a “state of sheer panic” because he feared for his life. However, the prosecution argued that the video showed the defendant “simply lost control in his determination to reach his destination”. The prosecutor added: “Consumed by anger, he drove into the crowd and as he did so he intended to cause them serious harm.”

Dangerous Driving Prior to Incident

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

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