Promising footy player's emotional mum says killer driver's sentence not enough
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here West Australian teen Nick Campo's mother is disappointed her son's killer driver has been sentenced to just three years and two months behind bars. A judge today found the 17-year-old driver, who can't be named, was encouraged to speed by his passengers, saying they were all morally responsible for the tragedy. Nick had just made it to adulthood but a high-speed crash while celebrating his 18th birthday ended it all. A teenager who was behind the wheel of a car in a crash that killed talented footballer Nick Campo in Perth has had his charges upgraded. (9News) Bianca Campo says the sentence for the driver convicted of the manslaughter of her son, Nick Campo, isn't enough (9News) "Nick was a really good kid and he was very much loved by all of us," mother Bianca Campo said, outside court. Nick and some mates were catching a lift to a nightclub when the ute they were in collided with a Jeep in North Lake last July. The promising footy player was killed instantly and three other passengers were seriously injured. "It's something we have to live with everyday for the rest of our lives," Bianca said. "We've been quite broken." The 17-year-old driver was today jailed for two years and seven months for Nick's manslaughter, plus an extra eight-month term for the combined dangerous driving charges. With time served, he could walk free as early as mid next year. Promising footy player Nick Campo was killed instantly and three other passengers were seriously injured. (9News) "We don't feel it was enough and I really don't think it sets a good example for young people," Bianca said There were five boys in the Toyota Hilux and four of them, including the driver, had snorted cocaine. The judge also found the P-plater was being encouraged to drive recklessly, racing to beat the club's midnight lockout. His ute had been dangerously modified, with the front passenger seat facing backwards, and only two seat belts, including his own, working. There were five boys in the Toyota Hilux and four of them, including the driver, had snorted cocaine. (9News) "Please just make sure your kids know to do the right thing when they get into cars because this is like a pain that's unbearable, it really is," Nick's mum said. Children's Court president Hylton Quail said although the legal consequences fell on the driver alone, the moral responsibility of the tragedy was shared by everyone who got in the car. "As his honour described in the sentencing, there are no winners here," defence counsel Michael Tudori said. Nick's parents are now on a mission to educate young drivers in their boy's honour. "It's something no one could understand until you've had to live it and I really feel for people who have to go through this," Bianca said. courts
teenagers
crime
car crashes
Perth
Western Australia
sport CONTACT US
Property News: The last inner Sydney suburbs where houses cost under $2m.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Perth Now
18 hours ago
- Perth Now
Hardeman happy to be home ahead of Roos Bunbury clash
North Melbourne youngster Riley Hardeman says he can't wait to run out onto the ground in Bunbury on Sunday for his first AFL game in his home state. The Kangaroos selected Hardeman with pick 23 during the 2023 national draft and, despite having reached double digits in games, has yet to pull on the blue and white in Western Australia. But the Swan Districts product gets his first opportunity this week with North Melbourne in town for a home game against the Eagles in the South West. 'I'm feeling really excited,' Hardeman said. 'We came down here for the pre-season against West Coast. I got down but didn't play any minutes, so it's exciting to be playing my first AFL minutes in Western Australia. 'I'll have a few family members down, so it will be good to get around them and the West Australian fans.' The game comes as part of a doubleheader that includes a clash against Fremantle at Optus Stadium next week, the Kangaroos having sold a home game to the WA clubs to address travel imbalances as well as assist the club's coffers. Hardeman revealed the playing group had embraced the home-away-from-home clash in Bunbury, saying they were eager to put on a show for their WA fans. 'From a club point of view, it's really exciting to get over to WA, sell a home game and appeal to our fans over here,' he said. 'The condition of the ground is in good nick and the stands they are putting around and the atmosphere they are creating, I'm really looking forward to playing there.' A capacity crowd of nearly 15,000 is expected to fill Bunbury's upgraded Hands Oval. A good number of those may also just be there to see Hardeman, the 20-year-old stating his inbox had been blowing up with family and friends wanting tickets. 'I've got a few ticket requests already, but I think there is a bit of a waitlist for family and friends,' he said. 'But I'll have plenty of support over here, which is exciting.'
West Australian
19 hours ago
- West Australian
North Melbourne youngster Riley Hardeman excited for first AFL game in home state in Bunbury
North Melbourne youngster Riley Hardeman says he can't wait to run out onto the ground in Bunbury on Sunday for his first AFL game in his home state. The Kangaroos selected Hardeman with pick 23 during the 2023 national draft and, despite having reached double digits in games, has yet to pull on the blue and white in Western Australia. But the Swan Districts product gets his first opportunity this week with North Melbourne in town for a home game against the Eagles in the South West. 'I'm feeling really excited,' Hardeman said. 'We came down here for the pre-season against West Coast. I got down but didn't play any minutes, so it's exciting to be playing my first AFL minutes in Western Australia. 'I'll have a few family members down, so it will be good to get around them and the West Australian fans.' The game comes as part of a doubleheader that includes a clash against Fremantle at Optus Stadium next week, the Kangaroos having sold a home game to the WA clubs to address travel imbalances as well as assist the club's coffers. Hardeman revealed the playing group had embraced the home-away-from-home clash in Bunbury, saying they were eager to put on a show for their WA fans. 'From a club point of view, it's really exciting to get over to WA, sell a home game and appeal to our fans over here,' he said. 'The condition of the ground is in good nick and the stands they are putting around and the atmosphere they are creating, I'm really looking forward to playing there.' A capacity crowd of nearly 15,000 is expected to fill Bunbury's upgraded Hands Oval. A good number of those may also just be there to see Hardeman, the 20-year-old stating his inbox had been blowing up with family and friends wanting tickets. 'I've got a few ticket requests already, but I think there is a bit of a waitlist for family and friends,' he said. 'But I'll have plenty of support over here, which is exciting.'
Perth Now
a day ago
- Perth Now
Young woman found dead at WA property
Police scene. Credit: Michael Wilson / The West Australian Detectives are investigating the death of an 18-year-old woman after she was found unresponsive at a home in the heart of the Wheatbelt. The West Australian revealed the young woman died at a property on Harrington Street, Carlingiri, after police were called to the home about 8.45pm on Monday. It is understood that a man initially called triple-0 before police and paramedics rushed to the property. Despite their best efforts, the 18-year-old died at the scene. Detectives are now investigating the circumstances of her death. Calingiri, about 140km north east of Perth, had a population of 191 in 2021, according to a census.
