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An ex- Royal Marines Commando acted as a “man in a rage” when he mowed down dozens of LFC fans at a championship celebration, in what many feared was a terrorist attack, according to court proceedings.

“The footage was truly shocking.”

Those injured of Paul Doyle wept as video from the car’s camera showed bodies spinning through the air while he sped towards the gathering while screaming: “Get out of the way!”

Doyle, 54, will learn his fate on Tuesday following his guilty plea on the first day of his trial last month to 31 offences against 21 adults and eight children.

‘Consumed by Anger’

Prosecutors warned the court that the video evidence from the defendant’s two-tonne Ford Galaxy was “truly shocking”. The recording revealed the father of three yelling “expletives” as well as “fucking move” as he drove towards a large crowd of supporters, with people frantically dragging children to safety as his car horn blared.

The court was told that Doyle was a “man in a rage had completely overpowered him” as he continued driving into the mass of people, accelerating 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 requiring hospital care. A six-month-old boy was “remarkably” unharmed despite being left splayed on the road when Doyle’s car hit his pram, according to testimony.

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

The defendant could be heard shouting “for God’s sake move! Get out of my path!” 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

Speaking to a full court, lawyers said about 1 million people had attended “an event they believed to be a joyous occasion” to celebrate the football club’s championship win. Scenes of jubilation swiftly became “terror”, the prosecutor said, when the driver entered the crowd as he attempted to pick up a friend from the parade route.

“Some at the scene believed the events unfolding was a terrorist attack.”

Rampage Halted by Heroic Act

With injured people on the street, Doyle’s rampage was brought to a halt by a former soldier, a man identified in court, who entered the back of the car and forced the gearstick into park. Even then, Doyle continued pressing the gas pedal, according to evidence.

In his police interview, Doyle stated he reacted in a “state of sheer panic” due to a fear for his safety. Yet, the prosecution argued that the dashcam footage demonstrated Doyle “simply lost control in his determination to reach his destination”. The prosecutor added: “Consumed by anger, he targeted the crowd and in doing so his intent was to cause serious injury.”

Reckless Behavior Before the Attack

Footage indicated Doyle had been driving dangerously prior to entering downtown, overtaking cars dangerously and jumping red lights. He ignored traffic diversion measures and weaved around other vehicles, even emergency service vehicles, as he approached the packed streets.

The defendant is expected to receive a jail term of over a decade at his sentencing hearing.