🔗 Share this article

A former Royal Marines Commando acted as a “man in a rage” as he drove into scores of Liverpool football club fans during a victory parade, an incident many initially feared to be a terrorist attack, according to court proceedings.

“The video is profoundly upsetting.”

Those injured in the incident cried as video from the car’s camera showed bodies spinning through the air while he sped towards the gathering and shouted: “Fucking hell, move!”

Doyle, 54, will learn his fate on Tuesday following his guilty plea at the start of his trial last month to 31 criminal charges against 21 adults and eight children.

‘A Man in a Rage’

Prosecutors stated those in court that the footage from the defendant’s two-tonne Ford Galaxy proved to be “truly shocking”. It showed the parent shouting “fucking pricks” and “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 whose anger had completely taken hold of him” as he continued driving into the mass of people, accelerating while individuals were struck by his vehicle.

Scale of the Carnage

Overall, the former Royal Marine hurt 134 individuals in just seven minutes – including more than 50 who needed hospital treatment. An infant was “miraculously” 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 car, suffering a cut on his head, rib fractures and numerous scrapes.

Doyle was heard screaming “for God’s sake move! Get out of my path!” prior to driving deeper into screaming supporters, among them an older woman and young children who were dragged under the car.

Celebration Descends into Chaos

Addressing a packed courtroom, lawyers said approximately a million individuals were present at “an event they believed to be a joyous occasion” to celebrate Liverpool winning their 20th league title. The celebratory atmosphere swiftly became “horror”, it was said, as Doyle drove into oncoming fans as he attempted to pick up a friend from the parade route.

“Witnesses thought that what was taking place constituted a terrorist incident.”

Rampage Halted by Heroic Act

With injured people on the street, 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, according to evidence.

During questioning, Doyle claimed he acted in a “blind panic” due to a fear for his safety. Yet, prosecutors contended that the video showed the defendant “just lost his temper in his desire to get to where he wanted to get to”. It was further stated: “In a rage, he drove into the crowd and as he did so he intended to cause them serious harm.”

Reckless Behavior Before the Attack

Footage indicated Doyle had been driving dangerously prior to entering downtown, overtaking cars dangerously and jumping red lights. He disregarded road closures and weaved around other vehicles, even emergency service vehicles, as he entered the crowds.

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