Former Bachelor star Sam Wood has been refused bail after a Queensland judge found he posed a risk of committing another offence while on release over allegations that he strangled and assaulted his wife, Snezana, in Noosa.
Supreme Court Justice Patrick McCafferty rejected a proposed $1 million surety from Wood’s family, ruling that the suggested conditions would not sufficiently reduce the risk to the community or prevent further offending.
Wood, 46, has been held on remand for more than a month and was not present at Friday afternoon’s hearing. He is accused of assault occasioning bodily harm and strangulation in a domestic setting following an alleged argument at a luxury holiday apartment on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.
In his decision, Justice McCafferty described Snezana Wood’s statement to police as “trustworthy and credible evidence in my opinion”. He also described an earlier allegation, which did not lead to charges, as credible.
The judge said a witness inside the Noosa apartment had heard “gasping and a voice becoming muffled” during the alleged assault.
Snezana was allegedly pushed against a wall with Wood’s hands around her throat. She reportedly felt his grip tighten until she could not breathe or call out, before slumping to the floor and holding her neck, the court heard.
Justice McCafferty said the central issue in refusing bail was the risk Wood would commit another offence if released.
“The most significant matter is the risk of committing an offence on bail,” he said. “I do consider he presents a risk of committing an offence on bail.”
Allegations of escalating domestic violence
The court heard allegations of alcohol and drug use, partying and increasingly frequent arguments during Wood’s relationship with Snezana, 45. His barrister, Paula Morreau KC, said the couple were expected to separate.
“There was alleged drug use, alcohol use and a party lifestyle but it is not suggested Wood suffered from addiction,” Ms Morreau said.
She argued Wood could spend longer in custody awaiting trial than he would serve if convicted. The proposed arrangements would have seen him live with his father, Andrew, in Tasmania under strict bail conditions.
Ms Morreau said Wood had struggled with anger and irritation but generally removed himself from confrontations and had “the capacity for self control”. She also acknowledged that the current allegations were supported by another witness, while the earlier allegation remained untested.
Crown Prosecutor Jessica Guy argued that Wood’s alleged conduct had escalated, pointing to a previous choking allegation from 2021 and the seriousness of the incident in Noosa.
“It was for an extended period of time, there was a degree of force, her ability to speak was removed,” Ms Guy said. She alleged Wood was not deterred despite the incident occurring largely in the presence of an adult witness and near young children.
Ms Guy said the alleged strangulation and choking were relevant as predictive risk factors for future and escalating domestic violence. Prosecutors preferred Wood to remain in Queensland if he were granted bail, while his lawyer argued Tasmania would provide family support and its island location would help manage the risk.
Wood’s father sat at the back of the courtroom as the decision was delivered. Outside, he said he continued to stand by his son.
“Of course I stand by him,” he said.
Wood was arrested after his stepdaughter, Eve Markoski-Wood, 21, called police on October 3, alleging that he had harmed her mother at the family’s holiday apartment in Noosa. Police allege Snezana feared she was going to die.
Wood’s lawyer previously told a magistrates’ court that his client denied strangulation and said the allegations could involve self-defence. “He pushed her away. There is denial of any strangulation,” Mathew Cuskelly said.
Wood was initially refused bail by Maroochydore Magistrates Court before taking his application to the Supreme Court. He has since been held at correctional facilities in Queensland.
The couple share three daughters, while Eve is Snezana’s daughter from a previous relationship. Since Wood’s arrest, Snezana has been seen without her wedding ring and the couple’s mansion in Brighton, Victoria, has been listed for sale.
Wood rose to national prominence after appearing on The Bachelor’s third season in 2015. His home fitness business, 28 By Sam Wood, was reportedly sold in 2022, while the online platform was rebranded as evvr on Thursday, with references to him removed.
