UPDATE: A woman previously jailed for nearly killing a national triathlete has been hit with 52 new charges just months after her release from prison. Rebekah Stewart, 33, faces serious allegations including dangerous driving and drug trafficking, raising urgent concerns about community safety.
Authorities report that Stewart’s latest offences occurred in August 2025, when she allegedly collided with another vehicle in Ballarat, Victoria, before fleeing the scene. This incident is described by prosecutors as “hauntingly similar” to her prior crime in which she struck cyclist Christian Ashby while under the influence of drugs in 2016.
Stewart was originally sentenced to six years in prison for the 2016 incident, where she left Ashby severely injured and in need of 10 operations. After serving four years, she was released on parole in 2021, but violated the conditions just over a year later when she was found in a stolen vehicle. This led to an additional 10 months in prison.
In her latest run-in with the law, Stewart has been charged with two counts of driving dangerously, two counts of reckless conduct endangering serious injury, and trafficking a commercial quantity of methylamphetamine. Prosecutors discovered approximately $70,000, a firearm, and various drugs and trafficking equipment at her home during a search, indicating a possible return to a “drug-trafficking lifestyle.”
Her mother, Jennifer Stewart, has expressed her willingness to support her daughter’s rehabilitation by offering up to $20,000 for bail to allow Rebekah to enter a residential rehab facility in Shepparton. “I believe in her, I trust her, I know that she’s going to do it,” she stated in court.
However, the prosecution warns that Stewart’s extensive criminal history poses a significant risk to public safety. Prosecutor Marcel White stressed that her past relapses indicate she may not be a suitable candidate for release. The decision on her bail request is expected to be announced by Justice Amanda Fox on Friday morning.
As this situation develops, community members and advocates will be closely watching the court’s decision. The implications of Stewart’s charges could resonate beyond her personal circumstances, underscoring ongoing issues surrounding drug abuse and public safety in Australia.
Stay tuned for updates as this story unfolds.
