HUNTINGDONSHIRE MAN JAILED AFTER AXE ATTACK AND HIGH-SPEED POLICE CHASE
A man identified as Oliver Archer, residing on Thrapston Road in Ellington, appeared in court following a chaotic incident involving an attempted confrontation at his ex-girlfriend’s residence, armed with an axe.He subsequently engaged police in a high-speed chase across Huntingdonshire, reaching speeds up to 100mph while driving on the wrong side of the dual carriageway on the A14.
The pursuit also saw Archer heading directly towards oncoming traffic on the A141 near the Spittals Interchange.
The incident originated earlier that night in Mayfield Way, Huntingdon, when Archer was spotted attempting to evade police by circling a roundabout in the wrong direction.
The chase traveled through Huntingdon ring road, the A141, through the Stukeleys, Alconbury, Old Weston, and Bythorn, covering approximately 20 miles.
Ultimately, the pursuit ended on the A14 after Archer drove over a spike strip deployed by police at about 100mph.
He abandoned his vehicle, a Cherokee Jeep, in a field, dropping an axe on the road during his escape.
Officers quickly located and detained him even after he was pepper-sprayed.
The incident began when police responded to a report that Archer had been at a residence in Coldhams South, Huntingdon—a location he was prohibited from visiting.
That residence belonged to his former girlfriend, who, along with her new partner and mother, was awakened at 2:30am by Archer ringing the doorbell.
Upon arriving, police found Archer attempting to flee with an axe in hand.
Despite being subdued with pepper spray, Archer managed to reach his parked vehicle near the Lord Protector pub, prompting the police pursuit.
Prosecutor Cheryl Williams noted that Archer’s driving was reckless, with speeding, crossing white lines, and corner-cutting, culminating in him hitting the spike strip at 100mph.
Defense counsel Samantha Marsh explained Archer’s state, under the influence of cannabis, impairing his judgment, and stated the axe had been left from a camping trip, with Archer not intending to threaten anyone.
Marsh added that Archer went to Coldhams South under mistaken beliefs that the boyfriend had damaged his parents’ property, describing his behavior as immature and misguided.
Archer confessed to several offenses including dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, uninsured driving, possession of a bladed article, unlawful presence in an enclosed space, and breaching a court order.
He also admitted to violating an 18-month suspended sentence imposed in July following a previous road rage incident involving an attempt to force another vehicle off the road.
Judge Sean Enright sentenced Archer to 39 months in prison, imposed a restraining order against contact with his ex-girlfriend, her current boyfriend, and her mother for five years, and banned him from driving for four years.
