Kangaroo Valley crash victim Cameron James Stewart has spent the past week in hospital, but he certainly won't be heading home anytime soon - even if he does get the all-clear from doctors in coming days.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Bomaderry man was left with serious head injuries after losing control of a yellow Toyota Landcruiser towing a jetski and trailer on Wattamolla Road shortly after 6.30pm on September 11 and crashing into a hay bale trailer parked on the side of the road.
But instead of being able to ease his aches and pains in the comfort of home when he is eventually discharged from hospital, Stewart will shipped off to Silverwater jail to recuperate in a prison cell.
Stewart, 32, is facing a host of charges stemming from the crash, including allegations that he stole the Landcruiser from a worksite at Berry the night before, and the trailer and jetski from a property at Broughton Vale two days earlier and that he was driving with a disqualified licence when the collision occurred.
It is alleged the Landcruiser hit the hay bale trailer with "such force it propelled forward onto the road, bending the rear corner of the trailer and lodged part of the Landcruiser under the trailer."
A witness who heard the crash told police the vehicle was extensively damaged and that he saw Stewart sitting in the driver's seat, with no other passenger's in the vehicle or outside.
Stewart appeared in Wollongong Local Court on Tuesday via a phone call from his hospital bed, where he listened patiently as his lawyer, Kirby Powell, applied for bail on his behalf.
He is facing five charges including larceny, break and enter, driving while disqualified and negligent driving.
Ms Powell said Stewart had a placement at Nowra's Oolong House drug rehabilitation centre and could live with his parents if he was discharged from hospital before his admission.
The court heard Stewart was still under police guard at Wollongong Hospital and was receiving treatment for shoulder and facial injuries and a broken nose suffered in the crash.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Rachel Biffin opposed bail, noting Stewart had a terrible record for driving without a licence and was concerned he wouldn't turn up to court if released.
"There's nothing the court can do to stop him from driving," she said.
"These are all matters that put the community at risk."
Magistrate Les Mabbutt refused bail on account of Stewart's "lengthy" criminal history and the high likelihood he will receive a jail sentence if convicted of the offences.
Read more: Crime/Court