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BRISBANE - A man is facing numerous charges, including stalking, after allegedly trying to run down a tourist and a couple with a baby in far north Queensland.
Police today said a 29-year-old Mackay man holidaying in Cairns was "terrorised by a motorist for no apparent reason".
The man was walking his dog along Mayers Street in the Cairns suburb of Edge Hill about 5pm (7pm NZT) yesterday when a car passed him.
Police allege the passenger in the car yanked the steering wheel from the driver's hands to try to strike the pedestrian.
The car then stopped and the passenger allegedly got into the driver's seat and twice drove at the pedestrian and his dog on the footpath.
"The man took refuge behind a power pole to avoid being struck, however the car struck him on the arm and also struck the dog," a police spokeswoman said.
"Neither was seriously injured."
The vehicle then allegedly drove towards a couple and their baby on the opposite footpath, stopping "within metres" of them.
"The (first) victim hid in a yard for about 10 minutes before going to check on the welfare of the family who were almost struck, when the vehicle returned," the spokeswoman said.
"The driver allegedly got out of the car and threatened the man with a chain before leaving the scene."
Police said the driver was not known to the victims and the motive behind the incident was unclear.
A 46-year-old man was charged with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, stalking with threats of violence, assault occasioning bodily harm while armed and unlicensed driving.
He is due to appear in Cairns Magistrates Court tomorrow.
- AAP
