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

A former Royal Marine was a “man in a rage” when he drove into scores of Liverpool football club fans during a championship celebration, an incident many initially feared to be a terrorist attack, according to court proceedings.

Those injured in the incident cried while video from the car’s camera showed people being thrown into the air while he sped towards the gathering and shouted: “Get out of the way!”

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 29 victims, including eight minors.

‘A Man in a Rage’

The prosecution stated those in court that the video evidence from Doyle’s large people carrier was “extremely graphic”. The recording revealed the father of three shouting “expletives” and “move out of the way” as he drove towards a large crowd of supporters, 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 whose anger had completely taken hold of him” as he ploughed further into the crowd, accelerating as people collided with his car.

Scale of the Carnage

Overall, the former Royal Marine injured 134 people within a mere seven-minute span – with over fifty who needed hospital treatment. A six-month-old boy was “miraculously” unharmed even though he was left on the roadway after the vehicle struck his stroller, the court heard.

One fan, a man named in court, was shown being thrown into the air by the vehicle, sustaining a laceration on his head, broken ribs and numerous scrapes.

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

Scene of Jubilation Turns to Horror

Speaking to a full court, the prosecution 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. The celebratory atmosphere turned to “terror”, the prosecutor said, as Doyle drove into oncoming fans as he attempted to pick up a friend from the parade route.

Brave Intervention Stops Driver

With injured people on the street, the vehicle’s path was brought to a halt by a former soldier, Dan Barr, who entered the back of the car and forced the gearstick into park. Even then, Doyle kept his foot on the accelerator, according to evidence.

In his police interview, the defendant claimed he reacted in a “blind panic” due to a fear for his safety. However, the prosecution argued that the video showed the defendant “simply lost control in his desire to get to where he wanted to get to”. It was further stated: “Consumed by anger, he targeted the crowd and in doing so he intended to cause them serious harm.”

Dangerous Driving Prior to Incident

The video showed the driver had been driving dangerously prior to entering downtown, undertaking cars at speed and running red lights. He ignored road closures and bypassed other cars, even emergency service vehicles, as he entered the crowds.

Doyle is expected to receive a prison sentence of over a decade at his sentencing hearing.