Former Bachelor star Sam Wood's legal team seeks urgent appeal of bail denial
Sam Wood's lawyers have filed an appeal and are requesting a hearing in the Queensland Court of Appeal after a second bail refusal in the Supreme Court.
Former reality-TV participant and fitness instructor Sam Wood remains in custody after the Queensland Supreme Court denied his bail application for a second time. His legal team has filed a notice of appeal and is asking the Court of Appeal to hear the case as early as Friday.
The appeal argues that the trial court did not adequately assess how long Wood might stay on remand compared with any possible non-parole period, and that the proposed bail conditions – including residences in Queensland and Tasmania – could mitigate any risk of reoffending. Wood is charged with assault and strangulation of his wife, Snezana, following an alleged domestic-violence incident in Noosa last month.
In the Supreme Court hearing, barrister Paula Morreau KC contended that Wood faced a longer period of detention on remand than he would receive if convicted. Justice Patrick McCafferty rejected the submission, stating he was not convinced Wood did not pose a risk to his wife and the community, and described the case against him as “not a weak one.”
Wood has been on remand since his initial bail request was refused by the Maroochydore Magistrates Court on October 8. Victims of domestic and family violence are advised that support services are available, including the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service (1800 RESPECT) and Lifeline (11 13 14).