Man That Ploughed Into Liverpool FC Victory Parade Described as ‘Consumed by Rage’, Trial Hears.

An ex- Royal Marine was a “person consumed by fury” as he drove into dozens of Liverpool football club supporters at a championship celebration, an incident many initially feared to be a act of terrorism, according to court proceedings.

“The video is deeply disturbing.”

Victims in the incident cried while video from the car’s camera depicted bodies spinning through the air while he sped towards the gathering and shouted: “Fucking hell, move!”

Doyle, 54, will learn his fate on Tuesday following his guilty plea at the start of his trial last month to 31 criminal charges against 21 adults and eight children.

‘Consumed by Anger’

The prosecution stated the court that the footage from Doyle’s two-tonne Ford Galaxy proved to be “extremely graphic”. It showed the father of three shouting “expletives” and “move out of the way” while he headed straight for hundreds of fans, with people frantically dragging children to safety as he blasted the horn.

It was stated in court that Doyle acted as a “man in a rage whose anger had completely taken hold of him” as he ploughed further into the crowd, accelerating while individuals were struck by his vehicle.

Extent of the Injuries

Overall, the ex-marine injured 134 individuals in just seven minutes – with over fifty 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.

A supporter, a man named in court, was shown being thrown into the air by the vehicle, sustaining a laceration on his head, rib fractures and numerous scrapes.

Doyle 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 became trapped beneath the vehicle.

Scene of Jubilation Turns to Horror

Addressing a packed courtroom, lawyers said approximately a million individuals were present at “an event they believed to be a day of joyfulness” marking Liverpool winning their 20th league title. The celebratory atmosphere swiftly became “terror”, it was said, when the driver entered the crowd as he attempted to pick up a friend from the parade route.

“Witnesses believed what was taking place constituted a terrorist incident.”

Rampage Halted by Heroic Act

As bodies lay on the ground, Doyle’s rampage was brought to a halt by a former soldier, Dan Barr, who climbed into a rear passenger seat and held the car’s gear selector in “park”. Despite this, Doyle continued pressing the gas pedal, according to evidence.

In his police interview, Doyle claimed he acted in a “blind panic” due to a fear for his safety. However, prosecutors contended that the video showed the defendant “just lost his temper in his desire to get to where he wanted to get to”. The prosecutor added: “In a rage, he drove into the crowd and in doing so he intended to cause them serious harm.”

Reckless Behavior Before the Attack

Footage indicated the driver was driving recklessly before he reached the city centre, undertaking cars at speed and running red lights. He disregarded road closures and weaved around other cars, including an ambulance and police cars, as he entered the crowds.

Doyle is understood to be facing a jail term of over a decade at his sentencing hearing.

Colleen Sanford
Colleen Sanford

A gaming industry specialist with over a decade of experience in slot machine technology and casino operations.