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An ex- Royal Marines Commando was a “person consumed by fury” when he mowed down dozens of Liverpool football club fans during a championship celebration, an incident many initially feared to be a act of terrorism, according to court proceedings.

“The video is profoundly upsetting.”

Victims in the incident wept as dashcam footage showed people being thrown into 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 after pleading guilty on the first day of his trial last month to 31 offences against 21 adults and eight children.

‘Consumed by Anger’

Prosecutors stated the court that the footage from the defendant’s two-tonne Ford Galaxy proved to be “extremely graphic”. It showed the father of three shouting “fucking pricks” and “fucking move” while he headed straight for a large crowd of supporters, with people frantically dragging children to safety as he blasted the horn.

It was stated in court that Doyle was a “man in a rage had completely overpowered him” as he continued driving into the mass of people, speeding up while individuals were struck by his vehicle.

Scale of the Carnage

In total, the ex-marine hurt 134 people in just seven minutes – including more than 50 who needed hospital treatment. An infant was “remarkably” uninjured despite being left splayed on the road when Doyle’s car hit his pram, the court heard.

One fan, a man named in court, was seen being launched into the air by the vehicle, suffering a laceration to the back of his head, broken ribs and numerous scrapes.

Doyle was heard screaming “fuck’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

Speaking to a full court, lawyers said approximately a million individuals were present at “what they thought would be a day of joyfulness” to celebrate Liverpool winning their 20th league title. The celebratory atmosphere swiftly became “horror”, it was said, as Doyle drove into oncoming fans while trying to collect a companion from the parade route.

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

Brave Intervention Stops Driver

As bodies lay on the ground, the vehicle’s path was stopped by a former soldier, a man identified in court, who climbed into a rear passenger seat and forced the gearstick into park. Despite this, Doyle kept his foot on the accelerator, the court heard.

During questioning, the defendant claimed he acted in a “state of sheer panic” because he feared for his life. Yet, prosecutors contended that the dashcam footage showed Doyle “simply lost control in his desire to get to where he wanted to get to”. The prosecutor added: “Consumed by anger, he drove into the crowd and as he did so his intent was to cause serious injury.”

Reckless Behavior Before the Attack

The video indicated the driver was driving recklessly before he reached the city centre, overtaking cars dangerously and running red lights. He ignored road closures and bypassed other vehicles, even emergency service vehicles, as he approached the packed streets.

The defendant is understood to be facing a prison sentence of over a decade at his sentencing hearing.