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An ex- Royal Marines Commando was a “person consumed by fury” as he mowed down scores of LFC fans at a championship celebration, in what many feared was a terrorist attack, a court has heard.

“The footage was truly shocking.”

Those injured in the incident wept as dashcam footage showed people being thrown into the air as he accelerated into crowds and shouted: “Get out of the way!”

The 54-year-old defendant is due to be sentenced on Tuesday after pleading guilty at the start of his trial last month to 31 criminal charges involving 29 victims, including eight minors.

‘Consumed by Anger’

Prosecutors stated the court that the video evidence from Doyle’s large people carrier was “truly shocking”. It showed the father of three shouting “fucking pricks” as well as “fucking move” as he drove towards hundreds of fans, some pulling children out of the way as he blasted the horn.

It was stated in court 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

Overall, the ex-marine hurt 134 people in just seven minutes – including more than 50 who needed hospital treatment. A six-month-old boy was “remarkably” unharmed even though he was left on the roadway when Doyle’s car hit his pram, according to testimony.

One fan, a man named in court, was shown being thrown into the air by the car, sustaining a cut on his head, rib fractures and multiple abrasions.

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

Scene of Jubilation Turns to Horror

Addressing a packed courtroom, lawyers said about 1 million people were present at “an event they believed to be a day of joyfulness” marking the football club’s championship win. Scenes of jubilation swiftly became “horror”, the prosecutor said, when the driver entered the crowd while trying to collect a companion who had been at the parade.

“Some at the scene believed the events unfolding was a terrorist attack.”

Brave Intervention Stops Driver

As bodies lay on the ground, Doyle’s rampage was stopped by an ex-army member, a man identified in court, who entered the back of the car and forced the gearstick into park. Even then, Doyle continued pressing the gas pedal, according to evidence.

During questioning, Doyle claimed he reacted in a “blind panic” due to a fear for his safety. Yet, prosecutors contended that the dashcam footage showed the defendant “simply lost control in his determination to reach his destination”. It was further stated: “Consumed by anger, he drove into the crowd and in doing so he intended to cause them serious harm.”

Reckless Behavior Before the Attack

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

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