NEED TO KNOW
- Wood faces charges including assault occasioning bodily harm and strangulation in a domestic setting.
- His defence lawyer has stated they intend to dispute the charges, claiming self-defence, while police and the complainant maintain support for the charges.
- Wood has been placed on indefinite leave from his fitness company, 28 By Sam Wood.
Trigger Warning: This article discusses domestic violence
Former Bachelor Australia leading man Sam Wood has been denied bail after facing Maroochydore Magistrates Court this afternoon on several charges of domestic violence following his arrest in Noosa over the weekend.
According to reports, police were called to a property along the coastal town’s popular Hastings Street on Saturday night, October 3rd, around 9 pm.
Police confirmed the 46-year-old man in question had been charged with assaulting occasioning bodily harm (domestic violence) and strangulation in a domestic setting.
Wood was refused bail and has remained in custody for five days before today’s court hearing, where he appeared via video link.
His lawyer, Mathew Cuskelly, has told AAP he intends to dispute the charges, arguing during the hearing that he may be entitled to a self-defence case.
“He’s simply worried about his family. A bail application will be heard on Thursday,” Cuskelly previously said. “The charges will be defended.”
Timeline Of Events:
Saturday, October 3 (Approx. 9:00 PM):
- Police are called to a property on Hastings Street in Noosa and Sam Wood is arrested on charges of domestic violence
Sunday, October 4 – Wednesday, October 7
- Wood remains in custody after initially being denied bail.
- 28 By Sam Wood places Wood on indefinite leave.
- Snezana Wood releases a statement stating the family is working through the difficult time.
Thursday, October 9:
- Wood appears via video link at Maroochydore Magistrates Court on charges of assault occasioning bodily harm (DV) and strangulation in a domestic setting.
- His lawyer indicates his intent to plead self-defence and denies the strangulation charge, while police confirmed the complainant supports the criminal charges.
- The court hears Snezana Wood’s statement
- Sam Wood is denied bail and transferred to a Brisbane prison
What Happened During Sam Wood’s Bail Hearing?
During Wood’s bail hearing at Maroochydore Magistrates Court on October 8th, his lawyer reportedly argued that the fitness influencer could plead he was acting out of self-defence.
“My client may indeed be entitled to a self-defence argument,” he said. “He is indicating a set of circumstances that may result in that.”
He then told the court that the alleged incident that occurred on October 3rd was the result of a “hostile” encounter that then saw Wood ‘push’ his wife, Snezana.
“My client’s step-daughter engaged with him in a hostile matter,” he told the court. “Mr Wood’s pushed his wife away.” “Importantly, there is a denial in respect to any strangulation,” he told the court.
It’s important to note that the alleged victim has given a recorded statement and supports the charges, but a witness statement is yet to be made.
RELATED: What Domestic Violence Experts Want You To Know About Strangulation Amid Sam Wood Case
Snezana Wood’s Police Statement
Police prosecutor Sergeant Jeanette Grigoris told the court: “We have been in contact with the complainant …she is in support of the criminal charges.”
“She thought she was going to die, and she was in fear of her safety,” Grigoris said.
“She does articulate there’s choking … banging of her head on the floor, she couldn’t breathe. The defendant only stopped when [somebody] called out.”
Photos of the alleged victim’s injuries from the evening were also presented to the court. Wood’s lawyer noted that despite a statement from a paramedic who attended the scene noting markings on the left side of the alleged victim’s neck, no photos were taken of the area.
“What is notable is the absence of any photographs of the neck area – given that that seems to be the central focus of the alleged assault, one would have assumed the investigators would have photographed that particular area,” he said.
RELATED: Snezana Wood’s Police Statement Reveals “She Thought She Was Going To Die”
The reality star-turned-fitness influencer rose to fame on the 2015 season of The Bachelor where he met his current wife, Snezana.
At the time, Snezana had one daughter, Eve, but has since welcomed three more children – daughters Harper, Charlie and Willow – with Wood.
How Has Snezana Wood and 28 By Sam Wood Responded?
In an official statement on the charges against her husband, Snezana said: “This is a difficult time for all of us, we are working through this as a family.”
The same statement appeared across Wood’s social media accounts, both personal and business, 28 By Sam Wood.
Mark Watkin, the acting chief executive of 28 Group also released a statement on behalf of the fitness company, revealing Wood had been placed on “indefinite leave”.
“We have all been shocked and saddened by the matters involving Sam Wood,” Watkin said.
“We have zero tolerance for domestic violence. While the matter is under investigation and before the court, Sam is on indefinite leave from his duties.
“Our thoughts are with the family and anyone in the community affected by domestic violence.”
If you or someone you know needs help, call Lifeline on 13 43 57 or visit lifeline.org.au.
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