NEED TO KNOW
- Snezana Wood’s recorded account: Police told the court Snezana gave a recorded video statement detailing the alleged assault where she was thrown against a wall and strangled.
- Prosecutors presented paramedic statements and photogtaphs of Snezana’s injuries to support the domestic violence charges.
- Bail was refused during the hearing at Maroochydore Magistrates Court, resulting in Sam Wood’s transfer to a Brisbane prison.
Trigger Warning: This article discusses domestic violence and assault
Sam Wood has been transferred to a Brisbane prison after he was denied bail on charges of alleged domestic violence, accused of assaulting and strangling his wife, Snezana Wood.
The incident allegedly occurred on October 3rd in Noosa, where Wood was holidaying with his wife and four daughters, including step-daughter Eve Markoski-Wood, 21. While the court heard contrasting accounts from defence counsel, a video statement provided to police by his wife, Snezana Wood, was played at the October 8 hearing at Maroochydore Magistrates Court.
Wood’s lawyer, Mathew Cuskelly, has said he intends to dispute the charges and denies allegations of strangulation. During the hearing, he told the court a “hostile” encounter occurred between the former Bachelor star and step-daughter, Eve, before the 46-year-old “pushed” 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.”
“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.”
Snezana Wood’s Account: What The Court Heard
During the October 8 bail hearing, Police prosecutor Sergeant Jeanette Grigoris told the court that the alleged victim, Snezana, has given a recorded statement and supports the charges, but a witness statement is yet to be made.
Grigoris then told the court the prosecution had “strong evidence” to support the alleged assault and strangulation, before giving details of Snezana’s account of what occurred.
“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.”
The Incident In Noosa: How The Argument Started
The court heard that the alleged assault began after the couple got into an argument about packing for their flight home.
“The applicant yelled at her and pushed the alleged victim into the wardrobe within the bedroom,” Acting Magistrate Janelle Boegheim said.
“They both allegedly entered the hallway outside the bedroom where an alleged adult witness, the victim’s daughter, had told the applicant to stop yelling at the victim.”
Ms Boegheim said it was alleged Mr Wood “grabbed the alleged victim by the throat with one hand and thrown her against a wall in the hallway, striking her head”.
“Then, while keeping a firm hold of the alleged victim, he has thrown her to the ground, and whilst on the floor has held her throat, gripping tight and restricting her airway, preventing her from breathing,” she said.
The court was told it was Eve Markoski-Wood who then called emergency services before the attending paramedic’s statement and photographs of the victim’s injuries were produced.
If you or someone you know needs help, call Lifeline on 13 43 57 or visit lifeline.org.au.
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