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An ex- Royal Marines Commando was a “man in a rage” as he drove into dozens of LFC supporters during a championship celebration, in what many feared was a terrorist attack, according to court proceedings.

“The footage is deeply disturbing.”

Those injured of Paul Doyle cried while video from the car’s camera showed bodies spinning through the air as he accelerated into crowds while screaming: “Get out of the way!”

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 criminal charges involving 29 victims, including eight minors.

‘Consumed by Anger’

The prosecution warned those in court that the video evidence from Doyle’s two-tonne Ford Galaxy was “extremely graphic”. It showed the father of three shouting “expletives” as well as “fucking move” as he drove towards a large crowd of supporters, with people frantically dragging children to safety as he blasted the horn.

The court was told that Doyle was a “man in a rage whose anger had completely taken hold of him” as he continued driving into the mass of people, speeding up while individuals were struck by his vehicle.

Scale of the Carnage

Overall, the former Royal Marine injured 134 individuals within a mere seven-minute span – with over fifty requiring hospital care. A six-month-old boy was “remarkably” unharmed even though he was left on the roadway when Doyle’s car hit his pram, the court heard.

One fan, Simon Nash, was shown being thrown into the air by the vehicle, sustaining a cut to the back of his head, rib fractures and multiple abrasions.

The defendant was heard screaming “fuck’s sake move! Get out of my path!” before ploughing further into screaming supporters, including an elderly woman and children who became trapped beneath the vehicle.

Scene of Jubilation Turns to Horror

Addressing a packed courtroom, the prosecution said about 1 million people were present at “an event they believed to be a joyous occasion” to celebrate the football club’s championship win. The celebratory atmosphere swiftly became “horror”, the prosecutor said, as Doyle drove into oncoming fans as he attempted to pick up a friend from the parade route.

“Some at the scene thought that what was taking place was a terrorist attack.”

Brave Intervention Stops Driver

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 held the car’s gear selector in “park”. Even then, Doyle continued pressing the gas pedal, according to evidence.

In his police interview, the defendant stated he acted in a “blind panic” because he feared for his life. Yet, prosecutors contended that the dashcam footage demonstrated the defendant “simply lost control 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

The video showed the driver had been driving dangerously before he reached the city centre, undertaking cars at speed and jumping red lights. He disregarded traffic diversion measures and weaved around other cars, including an ambulance and police cars, as he entered the crowds.

Doyle is understood to be facing a prison sentence of more than 10 years at his sentencing hearing.