🔗 Share this article

A former Royal Marines Commando acted as a “man in a rage” when he mowed down dozens of Liverpool football club supporters during a victory parade, an incident many initially feared to be a terrorist attack, according to court proceedings.

“The footage was truly shocking.”

Victims of Paul Doyle wept while video from the car’s camera depicted bodies spinning through the air as he accelerated into crowds 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 21 adults and eight children.

‘A Man in a Rage’

Prosecutors warned those in court that the footage from the defendant’s large people carrier proved to be “extremely graphic”. The recording revealed the father of three yelling “expletives” as well as “move out of the way” as he drove towards a large crowd of supporters, with people frantically dragging children to safety as he blasted the horn.

The court was told that Doyle was 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.

Scale of the Carnage

In total, the former Royal Marine hurt 134 individuals within a mere seven-minute span – including more than 50 who needed hospital treatment. A six-month-old boy was “remarkably” uninjured 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 vehicle, sustaining a cut to the back of his head, rib fractures and numerous scrapes.

Doyle could be heard shouting “fuck’s sake move! Get out my fucking way!” 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

Speaking to a full court, the prosecution said about 1 million people had attended “an event they believed to be a joyous occasion” marking the football club’s championship win. Scenes of jubilation turned to “terror”, it was said, as Doyle drove into oncoming fans as he attempted to pick up a friend who had been at the parade.

“Some at the scene believed the events unfolding constituted a terrorist incident.”

Rampage Halted by Heroic Act

As bodies lay on the ground, the vehicle’s path 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”. Even then, Doyle kept his foot on the accelerator, according to evidence.

In his police interview, the defendant stated he reacted in a “blind panic” because he feared for his life. Yet, the prosecution argued that the dashcam footage showed Doyle “simply lost control in his desire to get to where he wanted to get to”. The prosecutor added: “In a rage, he targeted the crowd and as he did so his intent was to cause serious injury.”

Reckless Behavior Before the Attack

The video indicated the driver had been driving dangerously before he reached the city centre, overtaking cars dangerously and running red lights. He ignored traffic diversion measures and weaved around other vehicles, even emergency service vehicles, as he entered the crowds.

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