Sam Wood wants to return to home state in bail bid on DV charges
Former Bachelor star and fitness guru Sam Wood has proposed he return to Tasmania to live with his father, in a fresh bid for bail on domestic violence charges.
Wood, 46, has been on remand on domestic violence charges after being accused of throwing his wife into a wall, choking her and banging her head on the floor at a holiday unit at Noosa, north of Brisbane.
Sam Wood is accused of assaulting his wife Snezana, who he met on The Bachelor reality TV series. Instagram
He applied for bail in Brisbane Supreme Court on Friday and was not required to appear in person or by videolink.
Wood’s barrister Paula Morreau KC said a move to Tasmania, where he had strong family connections and social networks, would minimise any risk to his wife, fellow Bachelor star Snezana Wood, and the general public.
Wood's stepdaughter Eve Markoski-Wood, 21, called police on October 3, alleging he had harmed her mother at a unit on Noosa's tourist precinct of Hastings Street.
Morreau said Wood was at risk of spending a longer period on remand than any eventual non-parole period would be, if he was convicted.
She agreed the charges, which have a maximum penalty of seven years in prison, were serious.
But a head sentence of two years was a more likely outcome, with parole to be granted after one year.
She said it was unrealistic that Wood's trial would be held within 12 months.
Wood conceded his lifestyle was notable for partying, drug and alcohol use and that his relationship with his wife was prone to periods of volatility, the court was told.
But there was no suggestion of addiction and Wood had the capacity for self-control, Morreau said.
"While the applicant struggles with anger and irritation, he usually leaves and takes time," she said.
"That’s an important component to assessing his risk.
"He is a man who has never before faced a charge; he has no adverse bail history; he has no prior domestic violence order or breaches thereof."
Prosecutors opposed bail, primarily on the grounds of the serious nature of the alleged offending.
Sam Wood’s father arrives at court in Maroochydore with his lawyer. Supplied/Sam Wood
It was Wood's second bid for bail since being arrested on domestic violence charges on October 4.
Wood has remained on remand after his original bail application was refused in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on October 8.
Wood’s father Andrew was there to support his son, whom he said he was standing by as he entered court.
Asked if it was a difficult time, he replied: “Of course, of course”.
At Maroochydore Magistrates Court on October 8, police prosecutor Jeanette Grigoris submitted photos of injuries Ms Wood allegedly sustained.
The alleged victim had given strong evidence of claims she was choked to “cessation of breath” before her head was banged on the floor, Grigoris said.
"She thought she was going to die … she is in fear of retribution," she said.
Ms Wood had allegedly been seriously assaulted by her husband three or four years ago in Victoria but he was not charged, the court heard.
Sam Wood has been charged with domestic violence offences. Nine
“She refers to that matter as being similar in nature and involved choking and trying to strangle her,” Grigoris said.
On Friday, Morreau said those allegations remained untested and lacked witnesses.
Wood earned a national profile as a star of The Bachelor’s third season in 2015, launching a successful home fitness business 28 By Sam Wood.
He reportedly sold it in 2022 for more than $70 million but remained the face of the online platform.
The platform was rebranded on Thursday as evvr, removing references to Wood.
Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).
AAP
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