Ex-AFL player jailed over women's deaths

erstwhile AFL subordinate who killed 2 aged women successful a car clang while driving nether nan power of narcotics pinch his girl successful nan conveyance will walk astatine slightest eight-and-a-half years down bars.

Shannon John Cox, 39, admitted unlawfully sidesplitting Thelma Clausen and Coral Seinor aft he fell dormant astatine nan instrumentality and crossed into nan way of oncoming postulation astir 170 kilometres northbound of Perth connected June 7 past year.

The women, who were successful their 80s and connected their measurement to a Country Women's Association event, suffered important injuries successful nan head-on collision and died astatine nan scene.

Cox, who played 25 AFL games for Collingwood betwixt 2007 and 2009, had 0.77 milligrams per litre of methamphetamine successful his strategy and was suffering from fatigue, Western Australia's Supreme Court was told today.

His Toyota Prado struck nan Suzuki Ignis carrying nan women aft colliding pinch nan broadside of a motortruck connected nan Brand Highway successful bedewed conditions astatine astir 84km/h.

Cox was travelling from Geraldton to Perth pinch his 12-year-old daughter, Josephine, who was besides injured, to prime up his woman aft she was released from custody erstwhile nan incident happened.

He was sentenced to 10 years and six months' imprisonment, eligible for parole aft serving 8 years and six months, backdated to October 25, 2024.

Cox, a begetter of 2 daughters, will besides beryllium disqualified from driving for 4 years aft he is released.

The erstwhile half-back flank started utilizing methamphetamine and intoxicant astatine property 13 aft he was exposed to narcotics and unit successful nan early portion of his childhood, nan tribunal was told.

Football initially provided subject for Cox, who didn't study to publication until he was an adult, but aft he moved to Melbourne astatine property 20, he utilized intoxicant to header pinch his accent and a gambling habit.

After retiring from nan game, Cox entered nan mining industry.

But successful 2015 he started utilizing a important magnitude of methamphetamine and antecedently served 2 years and six months for drug-related offences, Justice Stephen Lemonis said arsenic he delivered nan sentence.

About 18 months earlier nan mishap that killed Clausen and Seinor, Cox's methamphetamine usage escalated significantly, and he was connected a community-based bid for drug-related charges astatine nan clip of nan accident.

His apprehension complete nan women's deaths was nan 3rd clip successful 2 years he had been caught driving pinch methamphetamine successful his system, and while connected bail for nan manslaughter charges, he was again caught utilizing nan drug."The effect of your offending has been devastating," Justice Lemonis told Cox.

"This offending has tragically travel astir because of your addiction to methamphetamine."

Leanne Clausen said her mother Thelma's decease had caused her family important condolences and trauma.

"Mum was nan astir selfless, kind-hearted and community-driven person," she said while reference her unfortunate effect statement.

"Her volunteering efforts were endless."

Suzanne Seinor said her mother Coral "lived for those she loved and loved unconditionally".

"You chose to thrust a car pinch narcotics successful your system," she said, addressing Cox during her unfortunate effect statement.

"That prime resulted successful taking 2 lives that weren't yours to take.

"Your prime affected complete a 1000 people, who were my mum and her friend's family, loved ones and community."

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