Driver in alleged rampage

A MOUNT Garnet man who allegedly went on a drunken rampage and attempted to run down police while five times over the limit will be sentenced later this month.

James Deane Blakeway, 38, appeared in the Atherton Magistrates Court yesterday after causing havoc on Tablelands roads on Monday night.

It will be alleged about 8.30pm officers from Mount Garnet attempted to intercept a four-wheel-drive speeding on the Kennedy Highway.

As police followed the vehicle it is further alleged the driver, Mr Blakeway, stopped suddenly before reversing directly at the police car.

A police spokesman said officers managed to avoid crashing into the car before it was allegedly driven away at high speeds, at times travelling on the wrong side of the highway from Innot Hot Springs to Mount Garnet.

“A short time later police attended a disturbance at an address on Agate St where the male driver of the vehicle was allegedly observed threatening another man with an axe,” he said.

“He then fled the scene …, allegedly driving straight at officers and forcing them to jump out of the way.”

Mr Blakeway was later arrested and allegedly returned a blood alcohol concentration of 0.270 per cent.

He is facing five counts of dangerous operation of a vehicle and adversely affected by an intoxicating substance, as well as one count each of fail to stop motor vehicle, drive under the influence of liquor, disobeying the speed limit and going armed so as to cause fear.

He has been remanded in custody and is expected to be sentenced on July 27.