Accused axe-wielding carjacker faces court

A man accused of threatening a Brisbane mother with an axe during a terrifying carjacking is in custody after facing court.

Joshua Shawn Fairbrother, 24, of Hillcrest was hit with a string of charges related to the incident at Chermside on Wednesday, including armed robbery and evading police.

He was not required to enter a plea in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Friday and was remanded in custody until his next appearance on April 15.

Police allege the woman was standing beside her car, with her two children inside, when Fairbrother approached carrying an axe and a knife.

They say she managed to get the kids out before he took off in her Ford Focus hatchback.

Early on Friday a member of the public alerted officers after spotting the suspect.

Fairbrother faces 17 charges in total including unlawful use of a motor vehicle and dangerous driving while intoxicated.