Man Who Drove Into Liverpool FC Parade Was ‘Consumed by Rage’, Court Hears.

A former Royal Marine acted as a “man in a rage” as he drove into scores of Liverpool football club fans at a victory parade, an incident many initially feared to be a terrorist attack, a court has heard.

Victims in the incident cried as dashcam footage showed people being thrown into the air while he sped towards the gathering while screaming: “Fucking hell, move!”

Doyle, 54, will learn his fate on Tuesday after pleading guilty at the start of his trial last month to 31 criminal charges against 29 victims, including eight minors.

‘Consumed by Anger’

Prosecutors warned those in court that the footage from the defendant’s large people carrier proved to be “truly shocking”. It showed the father of three yelling “fucking pricks” 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.

The court was told that Doyle acted as 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 ex-marine hurt 134 individuals within a mere seven-minute span – including more than 50 who needed hospital treatment. An infant was “remarkably” unharmed even though he was left on the roadway after the vehicle struck his stroller, the court heard.

A supporter, Simon Nash, was seen being launched into the air by the car, suffering a cut to the back of his head, broken ribs and multiple abrasions.

The defendant was heard screaming “fuck’s sake move! Get out my fucking way!” before ploughing further into panicked fans, among them an older woman and young children who were dragged under the car.

Scene of Jubilation Turns to Horror

Addressing a packed courtroom, lawyers said approximately a million individuals were present at “what they thought would be a joyous occasion” to celebrate the football club’s championship win. The celebratory atmosphere swiftly became “terror”, the prosecutor said, as Doyle drove into oncoming fans while trying to collect a companion from the parade route.

Brave Intervention Stops Driver

As bodies lay on the ground, Doyle’s rampage 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”. Despite this, Doyle kept his foot on the accelerator, the court heard.

In his police interview, Doyle claimed he acted in a “state of sheer panic” due to a fear for his safety. Yet, prosecutors contended that the video demonstrated Doyle “just lost his temper in his desire to get to where he wanted to get to”. It was further stated: “Consumed by anger, he drove into the crowd and in doing so he intended to cause them serious harm.”

Dangerous Driving Prior to Incident

Footage showed Doyle was driving recklessly before he reached the city centre, overtaking cars dangerously and running red lights. He ignored traffic diversion measures and bypassed other vehicles, even emergency service vehicles, as he approached the packed streets.

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