A man accused of causing massive traffic delays in Brisbane during a seven-hour armed stand-off with police has faced court.

July 19, 2019

A man who allegedly stormed a Brisbane cafe before using a large kitchen knife to hold police at bay during a seven-hour stand-off that shut down one of the city’s busiest traffic tunnels, has faced court.

Cameron Raymond Smith, 40, made a brief appearance in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Friday over a slew of charges, including seriously assaulting police while armed.

The drama unfolded just before 7am on Thursday when Smith allegedly burst into a Baines Street cafe in East Brisbane and demanded staff hand over two knives.

Police say he then fled but returned shortly after and threatened the workers and a customer.

After the group escaped the cafe, Smith crossed the street and scaled the nearby Clem 7 tunnel structure on Shafston Avenue.

Officers responded by shutting down the nearest access point and re-routing traffic, causing major delays for motorists.

Specialist negotiators were called in, with Smith finally climbing down after a seven-hour stand-off and taken under guard to Princess Alexandra Hospital for further assessment.

The tunnel was reopened to traffic just in time for the afternoon peak at 2.30pm.

Smith is charged with 13 offences in total, including common assault, going armed so as to cause fear, unregulated high-risk activities, stealing, possession of a knife and public nuisance.

He was remanded in custody after appearing before Magistrate Jacqui Payne and will reappear in the same court on August 1, when his lawyer Thomas Allen says he will apply for bail.