Shannon Cox: Former Magpie granted bail on home detention in Geraldton while facing manslaughter charges

Former Collingwood footballer Shannon Cox — charged with two counts of manslaughter over a double fatality on the Brand Highway — has been granted bail on strict conditions where he will be subject to home detention in Geraldton. The 38-year-old faced Geraldton Magistrates Court on Friday from Greenough Prison, with defence counsel Paul Holmes seeking bail for his client. Police allege Mr Cox was the driver involved in the crash on Brand Highway in Cooljarloo that killed Jurien Bay women Coral Seinor, 83, and Thelma Clausen, 82. Mr Cox was remanded in custody following a positive test for methamphetamine. In his bail application, the home detention report of an address in Spalding with people known to him would mitigate the risk, according to Mr Holmes. He said the people at the house, his in-laws, do not condone illicit drug use, which would help reduce the risk of producing a positive test. Mr Holmes said Mr Cox wanted bail so he could be reunited with his partner. Police opposed bail, with Sen. Const Thomas Potts saying the positive urinalysis result was serious, given he allegedly provided a positive drug test following the crash. He also said Mr Cox had a history with drug use, being in front of the courts on a number of drug charges in the past. Magistrate Kelly Thompson granted bail, believing the home detention order was sufficient to mitigate the risk of drug offending. She said being at an address where illicit drugs were not tolerated may be beneficial for Mr Cox. He will be subject to electronic monitoring at the Spalding address, and will be only be allowed to leave to attend Geraldton Magistrates Court for appearances. He is yet to enter pleas, and will face Stirling Gardens Magistrates Court on Wednesday, December 11. The former Magpie played 25 games of football in the AFL, before he retired in 2010 citing a loss of passion for the sport. He most recently played for Rovers in the Great Northern Football League.