Young father Mark Coco convicted of drug driving and mobile phone use at Campbellfield

A magistrate has warned a northern suburbs dad that he could have ruined his life as she convicted him of drug-driving while using his mobile phone in Campbellfield. And there was one thing in particular she said was damaging to his role as a father.

Young father Mark Coco was convicted in the Broadmeadows Magistrates’ Court. Picture: George Salpigtidis

A magistrate has told a northern suburbs dad convicted of drug-driving the image of him “taking lines” was so damaging to his role as a father.

Young father Mark Coco was reading a text message with methamphetamine in his system when he veered off the road and collided with a traffic light pole in Campbellfield in November last year.

Coco, representing himself, pleaded guilty to multiple drug and mobile phone-related driving charges in Broadmeadows Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.

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Police prosecutor Senior Constable Justine Ross told the court Coco admitted to taking drugs — a couple of lines of what he thought was speed — on Saturday night, two days before crash on November 5.

Coco told police he thought the drug would be out of his system by the time he decided to get behind the wheel.

The court heard Coco also smoked cannabis daily but hadn’t had any on the day of the accident.

Sen-Constable Ross said Coco’s car mounted the kerb travelling west on Mahoneys Rd near Onslow Ave for 20m before slamming into the pole and dragging electrical cables onto the footpath about 2.20pm.

She said Coco admitted to using his phone along the 80km/h stretch of road.

Coco, a warehouse manager, told the court he had suffered a relationship breakdown with his partner around the time of the crash and “ignorantly” thought he would be okay to drive.

“My three-year-old boy doesn’t deserve to grow up without a father due to a hasty decision,” he said.

Magistrate Carolyn Burnside warned Coco he could have ruined his life.

“Going out on a Saturday night and taking drugs is not what a good dad does,” she said.

“The image of you taking lines — it’s so damaging and destructive of your role as a father.”

Coco was convicted and his licence suspended for six months.

Ms Burnside also ordered him to complete a road trauma program and sign a 12-month good behaviour bond.

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