Man Who Ploughed Through Liverpool FC Parade Was ‘In a Rage’, Trial Hears.

An ex- Royal Marines Commando was a “man in a rage” as he mowed down scores of Liverpool football club fans at a victory parade, in what many feared was a terrorist attack, according to court proceedings.

“The footage was truly shocking.”

Victims in the incident wept while dashcam footage depicted people being thrown into the air as he accelerated into crowds and shouted: “Get out of the way!”

Doyle, 54, will learn his fate on Tuesday after pleading guilty on the first day of his trial last month to 31 offences against 29 victims, including eight minors.

‘Consumed by Anger’

Prosecutors stated those in court that the footage from Doyle’s two-tonne Ford Galaxy was “truly shocking”. It showed the parent shouting “expletives” as well as “fucking move” while he headed straight for a large crowd of supporters, some pulling children out of the way as he blasted the horn.

It was stated in court that Doyle was a “individual whose anger whose anger had completely taken hold of him” as he continued driving into the mass of people, speeding up as people collided with his car.

Extent of the Injuries

In total, the former Royal Marine hurt 134 people within a mere seven-minute span – with over fifty requiring hospital care. A six-month-old boy was “miraculously” uninjured despite being left splayed on the road after the vehicle struck his stroller, according to testimony.

A supporter, a man named in court, was shown being thrown into the air by the vehicle, suffering a cut to the back of his head, rib fractures and numerous scrapes.

Doyle was heard screaming “fuck’s sake move! Get out of my path!” prior to driving deeper into panicked fans, among them an older woman and young children who became trapped beneath the vehicle.

Celebration Descends into Chaos

Speaking to a full court, lawyers said about 1 million people were present at “what they thought would be a joyous occasion” marking Liverpool winning their 20th league title. The celebratory atmosphere swiftly became “terror”, the prosecutor said, as Doyle drove into oncoming fans while trying to collect a companion who had been at the parade.

“Witnesses thought that the events unfolding constituted a terrorist incident.”

Brave Intervention Stops Driver

With injured people on the street, Doyle’s rampage was brought to a halt by a former soldier, Dan Barr, who climbed into a rear passenger seat and forced the gearstick into park. Despite this, Doyle continued pressing the gas pedal, the court heard.

During questioning, the defendant claimed he reacted in a “blind panic” because he feared for his life. However, prosecutors contended that the dashcam footage demonstrated Doyle “just lost his temper in his desire to get to where he wanted to get to”. The prosecutor added: “In a rage, he targeted the crowd and in doing so his intent was to cause serious injury.”

Reckless Behavior Before the Attack

The video indicated the driver was driving recklessly prior to entering downtown, overtaking cars dangerously and running red lights. He disregarded road closures and weaved around other vehicles, including an ambulance and police cars, as he entered the crowds.

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

Rachael Hudson
Rachael Hudson

Wildlife biologist with a passion for sloth research and environmental advocacy, sharing insights from field studies in Central America.