Snezana Wood has been seen in public for the first time since her husband, The Bachelor star Sam Wood, was charged with domestic-violence-related offences in Queensland.
The 46-year-old was photographed in Melbourne attending one of her daughter’s dance concerts before meeting a friend at a cafe. She was not wearing her wedding ring and appeared to be keeping a low profile, wearing a brown cap with her hair down.
Snezana wore a thick coat over a white shirt and leggings. Photographs also showed her friend embracing her before the pair collected takeaway drinks.
Sam Wood was charged with assault occasioning bodily harm, domestic violence and strangulation in a domestic setting after an alleged incident at a holiday home in Noosa on October 3.
Police allege that, during an argument, he grabbed Snezana by the neck, pulled her to the ground and restricted her breathing. The alleged altercation was witnessed by Snezana’s 21-year-old daughter, Eve, who called triple-0.
Prosecutor Sergeant Jeanette Grigoris told Maroochydore Magistrates Court: “She told police she thought she was going to die and she was in fear of her safety.”
She added: “It is strong evidence in terms of the offence; (the complainant) does articulate the choking and that there was cessation of breath.”
Wood has denied the allegations. He told police there had been “an argument in the bedroom” and accepted there had been “pushing and shoving”, but denied choking his wife.
His defence lawyer, Mathew Cuskelly, told the court: “Importantly, there is a denial in respect to any strangulation.”
Wood was refused bail last week and is being held on remand at Wolston Correctional Centre, a high-security prison in Brisbane’s west. Acting magistrate Janelle Boegheim said concerns about the alleged victim’s safety and the practical difficulties of Wood living in Victoria while facing charges in Queensland had not been sufficiently addressed.
Snezana also celebrated her birthday at the weekend at a small gathering attended by close friends and her children. Friends said the family wanted to maintain as much privacy as possible following Wood’s arrest.
The fitness entrepreneur, who rose to fame on The Bachelor before building his 28 by Sam Wood business, has been terminated from his job, while fellow reality television personalities have distanced themselves from him.
Wood is due to face court again on November 23.
