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 an appeal earlier this week, challenging a Queensland Supreme Court ruling that he should remain behind bars while facing serious domestic violence charges involving his wife, Snezana Wood.
Wood’s legal team argues the judge did not properly consider how long he could be held in custody before his trial, or whether strict bail conditions could adequately address concerns about the risk of further offending.
They have described the decision as “unreasonable or plainly unjust”.
The appeal comes after a Supreme Court hearing last Friday, when a judge refused Wood bail for a second time, ruling that he posed an unacceptable risk to his wife and the wider community.
The court heard disturbing allegations relating to an incident at the couple’s luxury holiday accommodation in Noosa on October 3. Wood is accused of grabbing his wife by the throat and telling her and her daughter that they could “both die”.
Justice Patrick McCafferty was told that Wood allegedly closed a door separating him from Snezana and her daughter, Eve Markoski-Wood, shortly 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 that he be released on bail to live with his father in Tasmania, arguing that the couple had effectively separated.
She also warned that Wood could end up spending longer in custody awaiting trial than the minimum non-parole period he might face if convicted.
However, Justice McCafferty rejected the proposed bail arrangements, finding they would not sufficiently address the risks identified by the court.
“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 reduce that risk to an acceptable level.”
The judge also described the prosecution’s case against Wood as “not a weak one”.
The court heard allegations of an earlier serious assault involving his wife, which Morreau argued had not been tested in court and was unsupported by witnesses.
However, McCafferty said he considered the material “credible and trustworthy” for the purpose of assessing Wood’s bail application.
Wood has remained behind bars since the Maroochydore Magistrates Court rejected his first bail bid on October 8.
He first rose to fame on the third season of The Bachelor in 2015, where he met Snezana, before going on to establish his 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, removing all references to the former reality television star.
Wood has not been convicted of any of the charges, which remain before the courts.
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