A woman previously imprisoned for a horrific hit-and-run that left a cyclist with life-altering injuries is back before the courts, accused of a string of new offences including drug trafficking and another dangerous head-on collision.
A history of dangerous driving and evasion
Rebekah Stewart, now aged 32, was sentenced to six years in jail in April 2017 after pleading guilty to dangerous driving causing serious injury and failing to stop. The incident occurred on Good Friday in 2016 near Lake Wendouree in Victoria's west.
Stewart veered onto the wrong side of the road, striking father-of-two Christian Ashby, then 37, during his morning bike ride. The former triathlete was thrown over the bonnet of her car. Stewart, who was already disqualified from driving and on a suspended sentence, fled the scene and later hid her damaged vehicle under a tarpaulin.
Mr Ashby suffered injuries that required ten major operations, leaving him with chronic pain and permanent disabilities. The court heard Stewart had a prior incident where she damaged property and drove away. She later attempted to appeal her sentence on the grounds that her victim had not died.
Alleged crime spree after release from prison
Stewart was released on parole in February 2021 but was returned to prison the following year for breaching her conditions, after being caught in a stolen car with stolen goods. She served an additional ten months, being released in October 2023.
However, by October of last year, she was back in custody. Police have now hit Stewart with 52 separate charges, including drug trafficking, gun offences, and reckless conduct endangering serious injury.
Prosecutors allege that on August 6, Stewart was behind the wheel of a stolen Toyota Hilux when she fled police, ran a red light, and slammed head-on into another car. She then allegedly abandoned the wrecked vehicle and disappeared. Crown prosecutor Marcel White told the Supreme Court of Victoria this alleged crash was 'hauntingly similar' to the 2016 hit-and-run.
Major drug haul and bail battle
Two weeks after the alleged crash, a raid on Stewart's apartment reportedly uncovered a significant drug operation. Police allege they found more than 310 grams of methamphetamine, deal bags, a vacuum sealer, over $70,000 in cash, and a loaded handgun.
At a bail hearing on Thursday, Stewart's mother, Jennifer, offered a $20,000 surety, telling the court she 'believes in her daughter' and that she would succeed in rehabilitation this time. The proposed bail plan would see Stewart placed in a rehab facility in Shepparton for 12 weeks before potentially living with her mother in Ballarat.
Prosecutor Marcel White vehemently opposed bail, describing the case against Stewart as 'very strong'. He warned Justice Amanda Fox that Stewart has a 'grave' history of relapsing after jail and rehab, ignoring court orders, and endangering lives on the roads. He stated that if she relapsed and drove again, the consequences for the public could be 'catastrophic'.
Justice Fox is expected to hand down her decision on Friday, determining whether Stewart will remain behind bars to face the multitude of charges.
