Man Who Drove Through Liverpool FC Parade Was ‘Consumed by Rage’, Trial Hears.

A former Royal Marines Commando was a “man in a rage” when he mowed down dozens of Liverpool football club supporters during a championship celebration, in what many feared was a act of terrorism, a court has heard.

Those injured in the incident cried as video from the car’s camera showed people being thrown into the air as he accelerated into crowds and shouted: “Fucking hell, move!”

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 involving 29 victims, including eight minors.

‘A Man in a Rage’

Prosecutors warned those in court that the footage from the defendant’s two-tonne Ford Galaxy was “truly shocking”. It showed the father of three yelling “fucking pricks” as well as “move out of the way” while he headed straight for a large crowd of supporters, some pulling children out of the way 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

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 “miraculously” unharmed despite being left splayed on the road after the vehicle struck his stroller, the court heard.

A supporter, Simon Nash, was shown being thrown into the air by the vehicle, suffering a laceration on his head, broken ribs and multiple abrasions.

Doyle could be heard shouting “for God’s sake move! Get out my fucking way!” before ploughing further into screaming supporters, among them an older woman and young children who became trapped beneath the vehicle.

Celebration Descends into Chaos

Speaking to a full court, 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 turned to “terror”, the prosecutor said, when the driver entered the crowd as he attempted to pick up a friend from the parade route.

Brave Intervention Stops Driver

With injured people on the street, Doyle’s rampage was stopped by a former soldier, a man identified in court, who climbed into a rear passenger seat and held the car’s gear selector in “park”. Despite this, Doyle continued pressing the gas pedal, the court heard.

In his police interview, the defendant claimed he reacted in a “state of sheer panic” due to a fear for his safety. However, the prosecution argued that the video showed Doyle “just lost his temper in his determination to reach his destination”. It was further stated: “In a rage, he drove into the crowd and as he did so he intended to cause them serious harm.”

Dangerous Driving Prior to Incident

Footage showed Doyle had been driving dangerously before he reached the city centre, undertaking cars at speed and jumping red lights. He disregarded traffic diversion measures and bypassed other cars, even emergency service vehicles, as he entered the crowds.

Doyle is understood to be facing a jail term of over a decade when he is sentenced on Tuesday.