Paul Doyle broke down in tears at Liverpool Crown Court on Monday as prosecutors described how he deliberately drove his car into crowds of supporters, injuring more than 100 people during what should have been a day of celebration.
His rampage "generated horror in those who had attended what they thought would be a day of joyfulness," the prosecution said.
Doyle dramatically changed his plea during his trial in November, admitting to deliberately driving his car through the crowds in Liverpool city centre in May.
"The defendant had used the vehicle as a weapon," injuring 134 people over the course of less than 10 minutes as he lost his temper, prosecuting lawyer Paul Greaney told the court as the two-day sentencing hearing opened.
"Paul Doyle just lost his temper in his desire to get to where he wanted to get to. In a rage, he drove into the crowd, and when he did so, he intended to cause people within the crowd serious harm," Greaney said.
Doyle last month pleaded guilty to 31 offences, including causing grievous bodily harm with intent, wounding with intent, affray and dangerous driving. The charges relate to 29 victims aged between six months and 77.
Judge Andrew Menary told Doyle to prepare for “a custodial sentence of some length”.
The most serious offences carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
Doyle had previously denied the charges and was expected to argue that he panicked after becoming trapped in crowds.
The court heard that, on the 26th of May, Doyle left his home in West Derby in a grey Ford Galaxy Titanium, intending to 'collect a friend' amid celebrations marking Liverpool’s record-equalling 20th English top-flight title.
'Serious harm'
In what appears to be an extreme case of road rage, over the course of seven minutes, Doyle instead drove his nearly two-tonne vehicle seemingly indiscriminately into pedestrians.
"He was prepared to cause those in the crowd, even children, serious harm if necessary to achieve his aim of getting through," Greaney said.
According to Merseyside Police, approximately 50 people required hospital treatment after the incident.
Doyle's youngest victim was a six-month-old baby who was flung from his pram, but was miraculously unhurt.
Police swiftly declared that the incident was not terrorism, and it was later clarified that Doyle was "completely sober".
Dashcam footage from his car played in court showed Doyle getting increasingly angry as he drove his vehicle through his crowd, hurling insults and screaming as he veered directly into people.
The harrowing clip showed pedestrians thrown against the car's bonnet and others getting stuck under the vehicle, amid cries of horror.
The car eventually stopped after several people, including children, became trapped beneath it, and a pedestrian jumped inside for the final 16 seconds of its ill-fated journey, according to prosecutors.
A man who got in the vehicle pushed the gear into park, helping bring it to a stop.