🔗 Share this article

A former Royal Marines Commando acted as a “man in a rage” as he drove into dozens of LFC supporters at a championship celebration, an incident many initially feared to be a terrorist attack, a court has heard.

“The footage is truly shocking.”

Victims in the incident wept as dashcam footage showed people being thrown into the air while he sped towards the gathering while screaming: “Get out of the way!”

Doyle, 54, is due to be sentenced on Tuesday following his guilty plea at the start of his trial last month to 31 offences involving 21 adults and eight children.

‘A Man in a Rage’

Prosecutors warned those in court that the video evidence from the defendant’s large people carrier proved to be “extremely graphic”. The recording revealed the father of three yelling “fucking pricks” as well as “move out of the way” while he headed straight for a large crowd of supporters, with people frantically dragging children to safety as his car horn blared.

The court was told that Doyle acted as a “man in a rage had completely overpowered him” as he continued driving into the mass of people, speeding up as people collided with his car.

Scale of the Carnage

In total, the ex-marine hurt 134 people within a mere seven-minute span – including more than 50 who needed hospital treatment. 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, a man named in court, was seen being launched 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 “for God’s sake move! Get out my fucking way!” prior to driving deeper into screaming supporters, including an elderly woman and children who were dragged under the car.

Scene of Jubilation Turns to Horror

Addressing a packed courtroom, the prosecution said approximately a million individuals had attended “an event they believed to be a day of joyfulness” to celebrate Liverpool winning their 20th league title. The celebratory atmosphere swiftly became “horror”, the prosecutor said, when the driver entered the crowd as he attempted to pick up a friend who had been at the parade.

“Witnesses believed what was taking place was a terrorist attack.”

Rampage Halted by Heroic Act

With injured people on the street, the vehicle’s path was stopped by a former soldier, a man identified in court, who climbed into a rear passenger seat and held the car’s gear selector in “park”. Even then, Doyle kept his foot on the accelerator, the court heard.

During questioning, Doyle stated he acted in a “blind panic” due to a fear for his safety. However, the prosecution argued that the dashcam footage demonstrated Doyle “simply lost control in his determination to reach his destination”. It was further stated: “In a rage, he drove into the crowd and in doing so his intent was to cause serious injury.”

Dangerous Driving Prior to Incident

Footage indicated Doyle was driving recklessly before he reached the city centre, undertaking cars at speed and jumping red lights. He disregarded traffic diversion measures and bypassed other vehicles, including an ambulance and police cars, as he approached the packed streets.

The defendant is understood to be facing a jail term of more than 10 years when he is sentenced on Tuesday.