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A former Royal Marines Commando acted as 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 act of terrorism, according to court proceedings.

“The video is profoundly upsetting.”

Those injured of Paul Doyle cried as dashcam footage showed people being thrown into the air while he sped towards the gathering and shouted: “Get out of the way!”

The 54-year-old defendant will learn his fate on Tuesday after pleading guilty at the start of his trial last month to 31 criminal charges against 29 victims, including eight minors.

‘Consumed by Anger’

Prosecutors stated the court that the video evidence from the defendant’s two-tonne Ford Galaxy proved to be “extremely graphic”. It showed the parent yelling “expletives” and “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.

The court was told that Doyle was a “individual whose anger had completely overpowered him” as he continued driving into the mass of people, accelerating while individuals were struck by his vehicle.

Extent of the Injuries

In total, the ex-marine hurt 134 people in just seven minutes – including more than 50 who needed hospital treatment. An infant was “remarkably” uninjured despite being left splayed on the road when Doyle’s car hit his pram, according to testimony.

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

The defendant was heard screaming “for God’s sake move! Get out my fucking way!” prior to driving deeper into screaming supporters, among them an older woman and young children who became trapped beneath the vehicle.

Celebration Descends into Chaos

Addressing a packed courtroom, the prosecution said about 1 million people were present at “an event they believed to be a joyous occasion” to celebrate the football club’s championship win. The celebratory atmosphere 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.

“Witnesses thought that what was taking place constituted a terrorist incident.”

Rampage Halted by Heroic Act

With injured people on the street, the vehicle’s path was brought to a halt by an ex-army member, Dan Barr, 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 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 “just lost his temper in his desire to get to where he wanted to get to”. The prosecutor added: “In a rage, he targeted the crowd and as he did so his intent was to cause serious injury.”

Reckless Behavior Before the Attack

Footage indicated the driver had been driving dangerously prior to entering downtown, undertaking cars at speed and running red lights. He ignored road closures and weaved around other vehicles, 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 when he is sentenced on Tuesday.