Vince Colosimo given three-month reprieve from facing punishment over drug driving

Vince Colosimo has delayed his punishment for being caught drug driving after a court warned jail time was on the cards.

Vince Colosimo will face court for a plea hearing in October. Picture: Nigel Hallett

Underbelly star Vince Colosimo has been given a three-month reprieve before he will face any punishment for allegedly drug driving while banned from behind the wheel.

Colosimo, 55, was due to face Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Thursday but was nowhere to be seen.

His lawyer requested an adjournment, which was ticked off by magistrate Simon Zebrowski, who adjourned the case for a plea hearing on October 19.

No reason was given for the plea not being able to proceed.

The Melbourne actor was allegedly caught driving unlicensed and with methylamphetamine in his system on St Kilda Road on April 3 last year.

Court documents allege he failed to produce his licence for inspection when requested by police officers on the roadside.

Colosimo has been warned a jail term is “on the cards” because of his priors.

Colosimo, 55, from Elwood, is also accused of stating a false name and address.

He had his car impounded and was charged on summons to appear in court at a later date.

His case has been one of thousands that have been plagued with delays because of the Covid pandemic across Victoria.

But last month it was him jetsetting in Europe, where he had attended the 75th annual Cannes Film Festival, that saw his case adjourned yet again.

His lawyer, George Vassis, asked the court to deal with the charges, in which his client would plead guilty to, without him being there.

The bizarre request was met with opposition by prosecutor Bianca Moleta, who said Colosimo needed to show his face in court as he was facing jail.

Ms Moleta said the Australian actor — most famous for portraying slain underworld crook Alphonse John Gangitano, aka “Black Prince of Lygon Street”, in the Underbelly TV series — had a history of driving offences.

“This matter really should be heard with the accused present — the accused does have relevant priors and a term of imprisonment is on the cards,” she said at the time.

The case was adjourned to allow for Colosimo to return to Australia.

In 2017, another magistrate warned Colosimo he could be jailed if he offended again, after slapping him with a five-month driving ban and a $3500 fine for drug-driving.