By Cam Lucadou-Wells
An erratic unlicensed driver with “enlarged pupils” and five grams of ‘ice’ in her unregistered car has nearly caused a head-on crash while crossing over double white lines, a court has heard.
Serena Greco, allegedly unsteady on her feet, claimed her dangerous driving was caused by a lack of sleep shortly after the near-miss on Belgrave-Gembrook Road, Avonsleigh at 8.40am on 24 March.
Her car contained drug paraphernalia such as deal bags and digital scales; Greco denied the drugs were hers.
The mother of four faced multiple counts of drug possession, driving disqualified and driving an unregistered car, as well as stealing 40 utility lights from a Noble Park North property.
Her defence lawyer told Dandenong Magistrates Court on 8 October that Greco had developed an ice habit since a relationship breakdown.
A shooting in her backyard caused her to flee from her Noble Park home, the lawyer said.
“She had nothing to with her or her family or her associates.
“It seemed to be a mistake on behalf of the shooters. No one was hurt.”
She was then rendered effectively homeless, her lawyer said.
She’d since made significant inroads on drug treatment. She’d also seen psychologist for previously undiagnosed mental health issues behind her “self-medicating” and offending, the lawyer said.
However, Greco had dropped out of contact during her community corrections order this year, still owing 110 hours of unpaid work.
Magistrate Julie O’Donnell noted she’d already given Greco a second chance on the CCO despite further offending.
“These are the same submissions when she breached the order in February.”
Ms O’Donnell was troubled by Greco’s dangerous driving that “without question put the community at risk” and multiple CCO breaches.
“She would have been told clearly by me that if she breached this order, she’d end up in jail.
“It’s a nonsense for me to believe she would now comply on that order.”
Up until last year, Greco lived a “clean life” employed as an aged-care nurse before her life “fall apart”, Ms O’Donnell said.
She adjourned the case, requesting proof of Greco’s contention that she had passed every thrice-weekly drug screen since February.
“She’s facing a jail sentence,” Ms O’Donnell said.
“I don’t want people in court to think that clean drug screens will change my view.”
Greco will next appear at Dandenong Magistrates Court for sentencing on 29 October.
