Driver swings metal pole after chase

A DANGEROUS driver terrorised other motorists as he chased them down a major highway before repeatedly brandishing a metal pole at them.

Fidel Gunes, 19, was upset at the occupants of the other car, who were relatives of his girlfriend.

The relatives came to his house on August 13 and asked for his girlfriend to return home but she refused.

So the relatives left in their vehicle and Gunes followed them in his car.

He drove at speed along the Centenary Hwy to catch up to them before overtaking and stopping in front of them.

The other vehicle had to break heavily to avoid a collision, and Gunes got out of his car with a metal pole.

Ipswich Magistrates Court heard Gunes started waving the pole at the occupants before they managed to drive away.

Again Gunes followed them and cut them off, forcing their vehicle to swerve sharply to avoid a crash.

Gunes swung the pole at the victims again and struck their car with the pole twice.

The court was told the victims managed to lose Gunes further up the road.

Magistrate Donna MacCallum said Gunes' conduct was completely unacceptable.

"Your behaviour on this day was appalling - it can't be described in any other way," Ms MacCallum said.

"To start chasing people on a major highway ... you put the lives of a lot of people in danger."

The court heard Gunes was interviewed by police on October 4 who discovered he was demerit point disqualified at the time of the offence.

He pleaded guilty to dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, wilful damage and disqualified driving.

He was sentenced to four months prison, wholly suspended for 12 months, disqualified from driving for 12 months and fined $400.

Defence lawyer Matthew Fairclough said his client admitted his behaviour was poor at the time, but was upset about the altercation between his girlfriend and her family.

Mr Fairclough said Gunes worked in the excavation industry and had limited criminal history.