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A former Royal Marines Commando was a “person consumed by fury” as he mowed down dozens of LFC fans at a championship celebration, in what many feared was a act of terrorism, a court has heard.

“The footage is truly shocking.”

Those injured of Paul Doyle cried while video from the car’s camera showed people being thrown into the air as he accelerated into crowds while screaming: “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 offences involving 21 adults and eight children.

‘A Man in a Rage’

Prosecutors stated the court that the footage from the defendant’s two-tonne Ford Galaxy proved to be “extremely graphic”. The recording revealed the parent yelling “fucking pricks” and “fucking move” as he drove towards hundreds of fans, with people frantically dragging children to safety as his car horn blared.

The court was told that Doyle was a “individual whose anger had completely overpowered him” as he ploughed further into the crowd, accelerating as people collided with his car.

Extent of the Injuries

In total, the former Royal Marine injured 134 people in just seven minutes – including more than 50 who needed hospital treatment. An infant was “remarkably” unharmed despite being left splayed on the road after the vehicle struck his stroller, according to testimony.

One fan, a man named in court, was seen being launched into the air by the vehicle, sustaining a cut to the back of his head, rib fractures and multiple abrasions.

Doyle could be heard shouting “fuck’s sake move! Get out my fucking way!” 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 had attended “what they thought would be a joyous occasion” marking the football club’s championship win. Scenes of jubilation swiftly became “terror”, it was said, when the driver entered the crowd while trying to collect a companion who had been at the parade.

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

Brave Intervention Stops Driver

As bodies lay on the ground, the vehicle’s path was brought to a halt by a former soldier, Dan Barr, who climbed into a rear passenger seat and held the car’s gear selector in “park”. Even then, Doyle kept his foot on the accelerator, according to evidence.

In his police interview, Doyle stated he reacted in a “blind panic” due to a fear for his safety. Yet, the prosecution argued that the video demonstrated 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 he intended to cause them serious harm.”

Dangerous Driving Prior to Incident

Footage indicated the driver had been driving dangerously prior to entering downtown, 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 prison sentence of more than 10 years at his sentencing hearing.