Driver That Drove Into LFC Victory Parade Was ‘In a Rage’, Trial Hears.

An ex- Royal Marines Commando acted as a “man in a rage” when he mowed down dozens of Liverpool football club fans during a victory parade, an incident many initially feared to be a terrorist attack, according to court proceedings.

Those injured in the incident cried while dashcam footage showed bodies spinning through the air while he sped towards the gathering while screaming: “Get out of the way!”

The 54-year-old defendant is due to be sentenced on Tuesday following his guilty plea on the first day of his trial last month to 31 offences involving 21 adults and eight children.

‘Consumed by Anger’

Prosecutors stated the court that the video evidence from Doyle’s large people carrier proved to be “extremely graphic”. The recording revealed the parent shouting “expletives” as well as “move out of the way” while he headed straight for a large crowd of supporters, with people frantically dragging children to safety as his car horn blared.

It was stated in court that Doyle acted as a “man in a rage whose anger had completely taken hold of him” as he ploughed further into the crowd, speeding up as people collided with his car.

Scale of the Carnage

In total, the former Royal Marine injured 134 individuals within a mere seven-minute span – including more than 50 who needed hospital treatment. A six-month-old boy was “remarkably” uninjured even though he was left on the roadway after the vehicle struck his stroller, the court heard.

A supporter, a man named in court, was seen being launched into the air by the vehicle, suffering a laceration on his head, rib fractures and numerous scrapes.

The defendant could be heard shouting “for God’s sake move! Get out my fucking way!” prior to driving deeper into panicked fans, including an elderly woman and children who were dragged under the car.

Celebration Descends into Chaos

Speaking to a full court, lawyers said approximately a million individuals were present at “an event they believed to be a day of joyfulness” marking Liverpool winning their 20th league title. Scenes of jubilation swiftly became “horror”, it was said, as Doyle drove into oncoming fans while trying to collect a companion from the parade route.

Brave Intervention Stops Driver

As bodies lay on the ground, the vehicle’s path was brought to a halt by an ex-army member, Dan Barr, who entered the back of the car and forced the gearstick into park. Despite this, Doyle kept his foot on the accelerator, according to evidence.

During questioning, Doyle claimed he acted in a “blind panic” due to a fear for his safety. However, prosecutors contended that the dashcam footage showed Doyle “simply lost control in his determination to reach his destination”. The prosecutor added: “In a rage, he targeted the crowd and as he did so he intended to cause them serious harm.”

Dangerous Driving Prior to Incident

Footage indicated the driver was driving recklessly before he reached the city centre, undertaking cars at speed and jumping red lights. He disregarded road closures and bypassed other cars, even emergency service vehicles, as he approached the packed streets.

The defendant is understood to be facing a prison sentence of more than 10 years when he is sentenced on Tuesday.