Sam Wood to spend at least another two weeks behind bars as new bail appeal date set
Sam Wood to remain behind bars after appealing second bail refusal
1 / 19
Former Bachelor star Sam Wood is facing at least another 12 days in maximum-security prison as he fights to overturn a second bail refusal.
The 45-year-old is being held at Wolston Correctional Centre in Brisbane’s west, with his appeal scheduled to be heard on November 17.
Wood is facing at least another 12 days in maximum-security prison as he fights to overturn a second bail refusal. Nine
His lawyers lodged the appeal earlier this week, challenging a Queensland Supreme Court decision to keep him in custody as he faces serious domestic violence charges involving his wife, Snezana Wood.
Wood’s legal team argues the judge failed to adequately consider how long he could remain behind bars awaiting trial, or if strict bail conditions could address concerns about further offending.
They claim the decision was “unreasonable or plainly unjust”.
The appeal follows a Supreme Court hearing last Friday, when a judge denied Wood bail for a second time after finding he posed an unacceptable risk to his wife and the community.
The court heard disturbing allegations about an incident at the couple’s luxury holiday accommodation in Noosa on October 3, including claims Wood grabbed his wife by the throat and told her and her daughter they could “both die”.
Justice Patrick McCafferty was told Wood allegedly shut a door between himself and Snezana and her daughter, Eve Markoski-Wood, before the alleged assault.
“The witness heard the complainant’s voice becoming muffled and could hear what she described as gasping,” the judge said.
“It is alleged the applicant grabbed the complainant by the throat and pushed her against the wall.
“She felt his grip become tighter. It’s alleged the complainant couldn’t breathe anymore and couldn’t yell out for help.”
Wolston Correctional Centre houses some of the state’s worst criminals. 9News
Wood’s barrister, Paula Morreau KC, had proposed he be released to live with his father in Tasmania, arguing the couple had effectively separated.
She also raised concerns Wood could spend longer in custody awaiting trial than any eventual non-parole period if convicted.
But McCafferty rejected the proposed bail conditions, finding they would not adequately address the risks.
“I do consider the applicant presents a risk of committing an offence on bail, or endangering the safety or welfare of the persons claiming to be a victim, or of interfering with the witnesses,” he said.
Wood rose to fame on the third season of The Bachelor in 2015, where he and Snezana met. Getty Images
“I am not satisfied that the proposed conditions can ameliorate that risk to an acceptable level.”
The judge also described the prosecution case against Wood as “not a weak one”.
The court heard allegations of an earlier serious assault involving his wife, which Morreau argued remained untested and lacked witnesses.
McCafferty nevertheless found the material “credible and trustworthy” for assessing Wood’s bail application.
Wood has remained in custody since the Maroochydore Magistrates Court refused his first bail application on October 8.
He rose to fame on the third season of The Bachelor in 2015, where he met Snezana, before building the fitness business 28 By Sam Wood.
He reportedly sold the platform in 2022 for more than $70 million. Last Thursday, it was rebranded as evvr, stripping all references to the former reality star.
Wood has not been convicted of the charges, which remain before the courts.
Leave a Reply