Alexandra Stewart: Former pro ballerina avoids conviction for stalking, assaulting Richmond ex

A former professional ballerina went full Black Swan on her Richmond ex, who she stalked with “harassing” conduct.

Former professional ballerina Alexandra Stewart pleaded guilty to stalking to her ex-boyfriend.

A former international ballet dancer who harassed, stalked and assaulted her ex is now dancing towards a plum marketing role after she was spared a conviction.

Alexandra Stewart, 30, was sentenced in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday to a 15-month community correction order after pleading guilty to charges including stalking and assault.

Stewart bombarded an ex-boyfriend with calls, texts and emails and assaulted him during a protracted menace campaign the prosecution termed a “harassing course of conduct”.

The offending kicked-off when the victim ended the relationship in January this year.

Stewart used 12 different phone numbers, private numbers, various email addresses, social media platforms and even pay application Splitwise to contact her ex.

The victim blocked communication with Stewart on all platforms daily but like a severed head of Hydra the jilted lover popped back up with a fresh email or phone number the next day.

Stewart also left letters, torn up cards and returned presents at her victim’s Richmond home during her offending committed between February and June this year.

Stewart also attended her victim’s home “uninvited”, the court was told.

The victim left his home to ride his bike when he found a note from Stewart on the doorstep earlier this year.

The court heard the victim rode down the street where he found Stewart “waiting for him”.

Stewart kicked her ex as he attempted to ride past her then followed him to Richmond police station where she was arrested.

Stewart lunged at and kicked his victim again while he was sitting in the police station watch-house, the court was told.

The court heard Stewart, during September’s plea hearing, had a successful international career as a ballet dancer but feared a conviction would derail her future employment opportunities.

Chris Hooper, for Stewart, had previously submitted his client’s “principle concern” was to avoid a conviction so she could continue as an event manager for a city council.

However, the court heard today Stewart was now hunting a plum marketing role in NSW.

Mr Cooper submitted a letter to the court which “confirmed” Stewart had sourced “ongoing” employment with Sound Corporation Pty Ltd as a marketing manager.

“She also has to have an appreciation of her reality and this is incredibly serious,” Magistrate Rose Falla said during the plea hearing.

The defence submitted Stewart, who was recently diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, committed her offending during a “tragic episode” of her life.

The court was told Stewart suffered a “mental health crisis” but was now on the straight and narrow after seeking treatment.

Stewart’s victim joined yesterday’s pre-sentence hearing but declined to make a victim impact statement.

“It’s not always the man who is the perpetrator and that’s important to note …,” Magistrate Falla said.

“This has to be a line in the sand moment for Ms Stewart … or she could face custody … does she understand this?

“This is entirely avoidable behaviour, if she doesn't want her future compromised then she has to be accountable.”

Mr Cooper urged the court to hand his client an adjourned undertaking but Magistrate Falla disagreed.

“Your conduct was persistent and serious …,” Magistrate Falla said today.

“If you do (come back to court again) you have much to lose … family violence covers … all genders and is not specific to one relationship … you must appreciate the gravity that you find yourself in.”

Stewart was also ordered to perform 100 hours of unpaid community work.

[e-mail]