Brian Lambert in Caboolture court for alleged axe swinging attack

A former Moreton Bay army officer, who clipped a motorbike while driving 120km/h in a 60km/h zone during a fit of road rage then used an axe when confronted by the victim at his home.

Brian Lambert leaving the Caboolture Magistrates Court on August 11, 2023.

A court north of Brisbane has heard how a Moreton Bay retiree snapped during a road rage altercation which saw him start swinging an axe at his victim.

Brian Lambert, 73, appeared in Caboolture Magistrates Court on August 11, 2023, charged with dangerous operation of a vehicle, common assault and going armed so as to cause fear.

The court heard on January 2, 2023, Lambert nearly collided with the victim’s motorbike, when Lambet veered into the right lane from Bribie Island Road onto Beachmere Road.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Catherine Dryburgh told the court the 73-year-old then tailgated the motorbike for a short distance, in a 60km/h zone.

The court heard the victim sped up to 120km/h in that 60km/h zone on Beachmere Road, to get away from Lambert, who sped even faster and overtook the victim, whilst driving on the wrong side of the road towards oncoming traffic.

Brian Lambert leaving the Caboolture Magistrates Court on August 11, 2023.

Sgt Dryburgh told the court as Lambert veered back into the correct lane, he caused the victim to take evasive action on his motorbike to the left of the road and Lambert’s vehicle made slight contact with the motorbike.

“The victim has then followed the defendant to his home and a verbal altercation has transpired between the parties,” Sgt Dryburgh said.

“During which, the defendant raised an axe in both hands above his head and began to swing the axe towards the victim.

“When the defendant swung the axe, the victim pushed his hands out to defend himself and had to step back.”

Lambert’s lawyer Farah Haddad said Lambert was diagnosed with lung cancer and had an operation which took 50 per cent of his lung capacity away, along with recently suffering pneumonia.

Mr Haddad told the court Lambert was born in England and served in the army in Northern Ireland, before moving to Australia.

The court heard Lambert was retired, living with his wife at Beachmere and is the father of two children and a grandfather of five.

“The facts are quite obvious,” Mr Haddad said.

“They both acted poorly in my submission.

“Not to detract from his behaviour but they both had choices and done the wrong thing.

“He shouldn’t have driven like that, the victim probably shouldn’t have followed him to the house.”

In sentencing, Magistrate Kurt Fowler said he found Lambert’s actions largely unexplainable and somewhat perplexing.

“It’s ordinarily conduct one might see from a 18-22 year-old male to be perfectly frank sir,” Mr Fowler said.

“There might have been matters in your life at the time, which caused you to act in ways you ordinarily might not.”

Lambert was fined $1500 and disqualified from holding a drivers licence for six months.

No convictions were recorded.