Sam Wood has been transferred to Wolston Correctional Centre in Brisbane after being refused bail over domestic violence charges involving his wife, Snezana Wood.
The former reality television star and fitness entrepreneur is being held in a separate wing under a safety order intended to protect him from other prisoners. He will also undergo regular welfare checks.
Wolston is Queensland’s highest-security prison and houses some of the state’s most notorious offenders, including Brett Peter Cowan, convicted of murdering schoolboy Daniel Morcombe, and Gerard Baden-Clay, convicted of murdering his wife, Allison.
Wood, 46, was arrested at a property on Hastings Street in Noosa on October 3. He has been charged with assault occasioning bodily harm and strangulation in a domestic setting.
Sam Wood transferred to Wolston Correctional Centre after bail refusal
During a bail hearing at Maroochydore Magistrates Court, the court heard the alleged incident began after the family returned from dinner. Prosecutors said Snezana wanted to pack for a flight the following morning, while Wood wanted to go to bed.
Acting Magistrate Janelle Boegheim was told Wood allegedly shouted at his wife and pushed her into a wardrobe. The pair then moved into a hallway, where Snezana’s 21-year-old daughter, Eve, reportedly told him to stop yelling at her mother.
Wood allegedly moved aggressively towards Eve, prompting Snezana to step between them. He is then alleged to have grabbed Snezana by the throat, thrown her against a wall and then to the floor, restricting her airway.
The court heard Snezana told police she feared she would die and had been choked to the “cessation of breath”. The alleged incident ended after Eve called out, before later contacting emergency services.
Wood denies the allegations. His lawyer, Mathew Cuskelly, told the court that Wood denied strangling his wife and might argue self-defence, alleging that Snezana had moved towards him and continued shouting before he pushed her away.
Wood was refused bail on Thursday, with prosecutors citing the seriousness of the charges and concerns that he could flee Queensland. They pointed to his Melbourne home, limited local connections and resources that could enable him to leave the jurisdiction.
Fitness business drops Sam Wood branding
Wood became known after appearing on The Bachelor Australia in 2015, where he met Snezana, before building a fitness and nutrition business around his 28-day programme.
He sold the business to Melbourne-based myDNA in a deal worth 71 million dollars in 2022 but remained its public face. DBG Health, which now owns the business, has since ended all commercial arrangements with him.
His name and logo have been painted over at his Brighton East gym, while “by Sam Wood” has been removed from the brand, which now operates simply as 28.
The business has also announced the reopening of its 28 Member Community Facebook group under new leadership. It will initially operate at set times rather than around the clock, with the group saying this would help maintain a safe and supportive environment.
The statement did not mention Wood by name and directed members seeking support with domestic, family or sexual violence to 1800RESPECT.
Wood’s lawyer said an application challenging the bail refusal would be made in the Queensland Supreme Court. Wood is expected to appear at the Sunshine Coast court on November 23.
