‘No intention to harm’: Man in bail bid after alleged axe chase

A MAN accused of chasing a group of people through Edmonton armed with an axe has been granted bail on the proviso he stay away from one of the people he allegedly pursued.

Shaun Cameron Day, 30, was arrested near a Bruce Highway service station just after midnight on Saturday where police will allege he tried to get inside while still armed with the axe.

The tradie faced the Cairns Magistrates Court on Monday charged with going armed so as to cause fear, wilful damage and attemping to enter a premises with intent, along with three other unrelated charges of using a carriage service to make a threat, burglary and stealing.

Duty solicitor Ashton Marini argued for Mr Day’s release on bail, telling the court he only armed himself with the axe and chased the group after he got “dragged into a fight” and his girlfriend was knocked unconscious.

He said the couple had left a club when an argument broke out and they got “beaten up”.

“He grabbed the axe and ran after them,” he said.

“He had no intention to harm anyone.

“He does not appear to be a person of violence.” Mr Marini said his client had an unrelated and minor criminal history and planned to make restitution regarding the wilful damage.

He said Mr Day had not given him formal instructions to enter a guilty plea to the charges in court, but believed he would.

No one was physically harmed during the alleged incident.

The court heard the charge of using a carriage service to make a threat was related to text messages allegedly sent to his former employer.

Mr Marini said he planned to contest that charge, along with the burglary and stealing.

“He said that he did send text messages but not to that effect,” he said.

Police had opposed his release on bail amid concerns he was an unacceptable risk if released. But Magistrate Joe Pinder said while the “offending was concerning”, he could impose bail conditions to reduce the risk.

He ordered that Day have no contact with one of the men he allegedly chased with the axe, report to local police once a week and continue living at his current Edmonton residence.

The case was adjourned until August 23.