Driver Who Ploughed Through LFC Parade Was ‘In a Rage’, Trial Hears.

A former Royal Marines Commando acted as a “person consumed by fury” as he mowed down scores of LFC supporters during a victory parade, in what many feared was a terrorist attack, a court has heard.

Victims in the incident cried while video from the car’s camera depicted 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 at the start of his trial last month to 31 offences involving 29 victims, including eight minors.

‘Consumed by Anger’

Prosecutors warned those in court that the video evidence from Doyle’s large people carrier was “truly shocking”. It showed the parent shouting “expletives” and “move out of the way” as he drove towards hundreds of fans, some pulling children out of the way as his car horn blared.

It was stated in court that Doyle acted as a “man in a rage had completely overpowered him” as he continued driving into the mass of people, accelerating as people collided with his car.

Scale of the Carnage

In total, the ex-marine hurt 134 individuals within a mere seven-minute span – including more than 50 who needed hospital treatment. A six-month-old boy was “remarkably” uninjured despite being left splayed on the road after the vehicle struck his stroller, according to testimony.

One fan, Simon Nash, was seen being launched into the air by the car, suffering a cut on his head, broken ribs and numerous scrapes.

The defendant was heard screaming “for God’s sake move! Get out of my path!” prior to driving deeper into panicked fans, including an elderly woman and children who became trapped beneath the vehicle.

Celebration Descends into Chaos

Addressing a packed courtroom, lawyers said about 1 million people had attended “what they thought would be a day of joyfulness” to celebrate Liverpool winning their 20th league title. Scenes of jubilation turned to “terror”, it was said, when the driver entered the crowd while trying to collect a companion who had been at the parade.

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 continued pressing the gas pedal, the court heard.

In his police interview, Doyle stated he reacted in a “blind panic” due to a fear for his safety. Yet, prosecutors contended that the video demonstrated the defendant “simply lost control in his determination to reach his destination”. It was further stated: “In a rage, he targeted the crowd and as he did so he intended to cause them serious harm.”

Dangerous Driving Prior to Incident

The video indicated the driver was driving recklessly before he reached the city centre, undertaking cars at speed and jumping red lights. He ignored road closures and bypassed other cars, even emergency service vehicles, as he entered the crowds.

The defendant is expected to receive a prison sentence of over a decade when he is sentenced on Tuesday.