UPDATE: Rebekah Stewart, 32, is back behind bars following a shocking series of events that have left the community reeling. Just days after a court appearance on January 8, 2026, she faces serious new allegations, including drug trafficking and dangerous driving.
Authorities confirm that Stewart, who was previously jailed for a horrific hit-and-run that severely injured cyclist Christian Ashby in 2016, is now implicated in yet another reckless incident. She is accused of driving a stolen vehicle and crashing head-on into another car, putting innocent lives in jeopardy.
Stewart’s troubling history includes a 2016 incident on Lake Wendouree where she struck Ashby, who was cycling. The impact left him with life-changing injuries, requiring ten major surgeries and resulting in chronic pain. Instead of facing the consequences, Stewart fled the scene, hiding her damaged vehicle under a tarpaulin.
After serving a four-year non-parole period of her six-year sentence, Stewart was released in October 2023. However, her freedom was short-lived. Just months later, authorities arrested her again, this time on charges related to drug dealing and dangerous driving.
On August 6, Stewart allegedly drove a stolen Toyota Hilux, fleeing from police before running a red light and crashing into another vehicle. Eyewitnesses reported that she abandoned the wreck and disappeared. Authorities later raided her apartment, discovering 310g of methamphetamine, stacks of deal bags, a vacuum sealer, over $70,000 in cash, and a loaded handgun.
Crown prosecutor Marcel White described the case against Stewart as “very strong,” emphasizing her past behavior and the potential danger she poses to the community. “If she relapses again and gets behind the wheel, the results could be catastrophic,” he warned during her bail hearing.
Stewart’s mother, Jennifer, offered a $20,000 surety in hopes of securing her daughter’s release, stating, “I know she’s going to do it this time.” If released, Stewart could be placed in a rehabilitation facility for 12 weeks before potentially returning to live with her mother in Ballarat.
Justice Amanda Fox is set to make a decision regarding Stewart’s bail on January 9, 2026. The developments in this case continue to unfold, and the community watches closely as the legal proceedings progress.
This alarming situation highlights the ongoing issues of drug abuse and the dangerous consequences it can have on public safety. With multiple charges pending, including 52 offences ranging from reckless conduct to drug trafficking, the future remains uncertain for Rebekah Stewart.
Stay tuned for updates as this story develops.
