Sara Stewart granted bail, allegedly threatened to stab neighbour

A Norlane mum who allegedly threatened to stab her neighbour and burn her house down has been granted bail, despite a magistrate describing her as a “considerable risk”.

Norlane mum Sara Stewart was granted bail on Tuesday after allegedly threatening her neighbour.

A Norlane mum allegedly threatened to stab her neighbour and burn her house down in an “out of the blue” attack on Monday.

Sara Stewart, 29, appeared at the Geelong Magistrates Court on Tuesday via video link from police cells for a bail application.

The court heard that on Monday morning about 9am, Ms Stewart allegedly went to her next door neighbour’s unit and started to yell at her.

Ms Stewart then allegedly used a golf club to hit her neighbour’s security door multiple times before threatening to stab the woman, burn her house down and smash her windows.

Ms Stewart then left the scene on a white mountain bike.

Police arrived about 20 minutes after the alleged incident and photographed the damage to the security door.

About 12.15pm, police returned and arrested Ms Stewart over her alleged actions and an outstanding warrant for a separate matter.

Photos of the alleged damage were tended to the court.

Throughout the hearing, Ms Stewart was fidgeting in the cells and appeared distressed.

The court heard Ms Stewart was currently on bail and a community corrections order.

Police prosecutor Kathleen Hewitt said Ms Stewart posed an unacceptable risk to the community and the alleged victim was “terrified”.

“(Ms Stewart) had no reason to approach the victim’s door,” she said.

“This seems to have occurred out of the blue for no apparent reasons.

The court heard Ms Stewart has shown no remorse for her alleged actions and was assessed by a forensic medical officer as not fit for police interview.

Ms Stewart’s lawyer, Sarah Wood, said her client’s alleged behaviour was “concerning” and she had a limited prior history.

However, magistrate Simon Guthrie said Ms Stewart had a history of violence, breaching personal safety orders and not turning up to her court dates in Kerang, where she has other matters.

Ms Wood told the court her client lived alone and was concerned about the welfare of her dog if she wasn’t granted bail.

“She is very frightened, she doesn’t want to be in custody and she said she will abide by any bail conditions,” Ms Wood said.

Mr Guthrie ultimately granted bail but believed Ms Stewart was a “considerable risk”.

“I want to make this crystal clear, I wasn’t going to grant you bail,” he said.

“You don’t seem to take things very seriously.”

Ms Stewart will front court again on November 22.

“This is one date you don’t want to miss. No excuses,” Mr Guthrie said.

Originally published as Sara Stewart granted bail, allegedly threatened to stab neighbour