Sam Wood Denied Bail Over Alleged Domestic Assault

Published: 08 October 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

Former Bachelor star and wellness entrepreneur Sam Wood has been denied bail in Queensland after prosecutors alleged that his wife was choked and assaulted during a domestic incident, leaving her believing that she might die.

Wood, 46, appeared before a Queensland court by video link from police custody on Thursday, several days after his arrest on the Sunshine Coast. He faces charges of assault occasioning bodily harm and strangulation in a domestic setting. He has denied the allegations, and his lawyer has indicated that he intends to contest the charges.

The court heard that Wood’s wife, Snezana Wood, told police she had been subjected to choking and that her breathing stopped during the alleged incident. Prosecutor Jeanette Grigoris said the woman also described having her head banged against the floor and being unable to breathe.

“She thought she was going to die,” Grigoris told the court while outlining the prosecution case.

The allegations have brought renewed scrutiny to the circumstances surrounding the couple and prompted Wood’s business to remove him from his professional responsibilities while the legal proceedings continue. His fitness company, 28 by Sam Wood, announced earlier in the week that he had been placed on indefinite leave.

The prosecution told the court that the evidence included a triple-zero emergency call made by a family member as well as photographs documenting injuries allegedly suffered by Snezana Wood. Prosecutors said the complainant was supportive of the decision to proceed with the charges.

The hearing also introduced claims about an earlier incident in Victoria. Police had reportedly attended the Wood family home approximately three years ago following an allegation involving similar conduct. According to the prosecution, Snezana Wood did not make a formal criminal complaint at the time because she was allegedly afraid of possible retaliation.

Grigoris told the court that police had body-worn camera footage from the earlier attendance and that a police report had also been prepared. Wood, however, denied that the previous incident had occurred.

The prosecution also raised concerns about Wood’s account during a police interview, arguing that he had minimised his alleged role in the incident and downplayed the seriousness of his wife’s injuries. Grigoris said the prosecution considered his responses to include an attempt to shift blame onto the alleged victim.

Those claims remain part of the prosecution case and have not been tested at trial.

Wood’s lawyer, Matthew Cuskelly, argued that his client should be released on bail. He told the court that Wood denied the allegations and referred to a psychologist’s report describing his client as experiencing severe depression.

Cuskelly said Wood should have an opportunity to receive professional mental-health support while also attempting to address the serious consequences the allegations have had for his personal and professional life.

The lawyer also emphasised that Wood had no previous criminal history. If released, he proposed that Wood would live in Victoria with his father, Andrew Wood, who attended the court in support of his son.

Cuskelly described the situation facing the family as deeply difficult and said Wood had been dealing with significant personal pressures. He argued that detention was not the only way to manage the risks identified by prosecutors and that appropriate conditions could be imposed if bail were granted.

The court was not persuaded.

Acting magistrate Janelle Boegheim said she was not satisfied that the prosecution case was weak at this stage. She described the evidence against Wood as relatively strong and indicated that the alleged offences, if ultimately proven, could result in a prison sentence.

Wood was therefore refused bail and will remain in custody while the legal process continues.

The decision represents a significant development for a public figure who built a prominent career through television, fitness and wellness businesses. Wood became widely known in Australia after appearing on The Bachelor and subsequently established himself as an entrepreneur and fitness personality.

The allegations have also had an immediate effect on his business interests. 28 by Sam Wood announced that he would step away from his duties after the charges were brought against him.

Acting chief executive Mark Watkin said the organisation had been shocked and saddened by the allegations and stressed that the company maintained a zero-tolerance position towards domestic violence.

The company said Wood would remain on indefinite leave while the matter was investigated and considered by the court. It also expressed support for people affected by domestic violence.

The case has attracted public attention partly because of Wood’s high-profile position and the serious nature of the allegations. Domestic violence cases can involve complex circumstances, particularly when alleged incidents occur within long-term relationships and when earlier reports may not have resulted in formal complaints.

The prosecution’s reference to the earlier Victorian police attendance is likely to form part of the broader context considered during the legal proceedings. However, the court has not determined whether that earlier incident occurred as alleged, and Wood has denied that such an incident took place.

Similarly, the allegations concerning the most recent incident remain unproven. Wood is entitled to contest the charges, and the prosecution will ultimately be required to establish its case through the judicial process.

The allegations have nevertheless highlighted the potentially serious consequences of domestic violence for victims and families. The prosecution’s account that Snezana Wood feared for her life and was reluctant to make an earlier complaint has also underscored the difficulties victims can face when deciding whether to seek police intervention.

The case is expected to remain before the Queensland courts for some time. Wood is due to return to court on 23 November, when the next stage of the proceedings is expected to be considered.

Until the matter is resolved, the allegations against him remain allegations and no finding of guilt has been made.

For those affected by domestic or family violence, support services remain available across Australia, including confidential assistance for people who may be concerned about their immediate safety or the safety of someone close to them.