Former reality TV star Sam Wood seeks bail in Queensland domestic-violence case
Sam Wood, charged with strangulation and assault after an alleged attack on his wife in Noosa, has applied for bail in the Queensland Supreme Court, with his barrister arguing the risk of release is low.
A Queensland Supreme Court hearing on Friday considered a new bail application from Sam Wood, 46, who faces charges of strangulation and assault occasioning bodily harm after an alleged attack on his wife, Snezana Wood, during a holiday in Noosa earlier this month. Wood, a former contestant on The Bachelor, has been in custody since his arrest on October 3.
Represented by barrister Paula Morreau KC, Wood’s counsel described the couple’s relationship as having "significant stressors and more frequent confrontations" and highlighted material presented to the court that referenced Wood’s alleged drug and alcohol use and a "party lifestyle," while noting there was no evidence of addiction. Morreau said Wood has a history of anger but typically leaves a situation to avoid further conflict, a factor she said should be considered in assessing his risk if released.
"He is a man who has never before faced a charge," Morreau told the court, adding that Wood has no prior domestic-violence convictions.
Morreau acknowledged the seriousness of the offences but argued there is no unacceptable risk to the community if Wood is released on bail, and that continued detention could result in a longer period in remand than a potential sentence. She suggested Wood could reside in Tasmania, where his children live, or alternatively in Queensland, and proposed conditions including three weekly police check-ins and attendance at a men’s behavioural-change program.
Crown prosecutor Jessica Guy countered that the force applied to Ms Wood’s neck was sustained, causing her to lose the ability to breathe or speak, and described the conduct as an escalation from a 2021 incident in Victoria. The prosecution noted that choking is a recognized predictor of further domestic-violence offences.
The court heard details of the alleged assault, including that Wood allegedly pushed his wife into a wardrobe, confronted his stepdaughter, and then grabbed Ms Wood by the throat, throwing her against a wall and striking her head before holding her throat on the floor. Wood’s trial is not expected until late 2027, and the maximum penalty for the charges is seven years, though the prosecution indicated a likely two-year sentence if convicted.