Actor Vince Colosimo is used to playing a tough guy on the wrong side of the law, but on Friday real life caught up with him when he was convicted and fined for drug driving while suspended.
The 50-year-old star pleaded guilty to driving on a suspended licence with ice in his system, when stopped and tested on March 5 in Melbourne's CBD.
Magistrate David Starvaggi convicted and fined him $3500 and cancelled the Underbelly star's licence for five months.
"You shouldn't have been on the road," Mr Starvaggi said on Friday.
"It's a basic issue that even a kindergarten kid could understand.
Colosimo was fined $3500 and had his licence cancelled after he was caught driving under the influence of ice (AAP) Source: AAP
"You're really risking a jail term if you ever come back to court."
The drama unfolded when police spotted Colosimo's black Saab on Exhibition Street, and a check of the registration plate showed his licence had been suspended for six months from February 24.
When questioned by officers, he replied: "Sorry, I didn't believe it was suspended."
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Vince Colosimo fined $1000 on drug charge
An oral fluid test subsequently detected the drug ice in his system.
Colosimo denied taking the drug in the two days prior, the Melbourne Magistrates' Court heard.
Defence barrister Tara Hartnett said the case had drawn significant media attention, because of Colosimo's profile, causing him and his family great embarrassment.
Mr Starvaggi said that rightly or wrongly, it was a by-product of being in the public domain.
Police prosecutors called for a significant fine and licence suspension period.
Mr Starvaggi noted it was Colosimo's third time driving whilst suspended and warned he could impose a jail term.
"If you come back a fourth time, it won't be pretty," he warned.
However, Ms Hartnett urged the magistrate to show her client "moderation".
"He's not an unintelligent fellow and he's aware of the outcomes the court can impose," she said.
As well as the fine with conviction, Colosimo was ordered to pay $119 in statutory costs.
The fresh charges came two months after the actor was fined $1000 for possessing ice while driving in North Fitzroy, when police found a small amount of the drug inside a sunglasses case.
The AFI Award-winning actor is known for playing Melbourne gangland figure Alphonse Gangitano in the TV crime series Underbelly.
He's also appeared in Hollywood films Body of Lies and The Great Gatsby alongside Leonardo DiCaprio, as well as Australian features Lantana, Chopper and The Wog Boy.
