By Sohaib Shams
Former reality TV star and wellness influencer Sam Wood has launched a second bid for bail in the Queensland Supreme Court as he faces domestic violence charges including strangulation.
Charges and arrest
Wood, 46, from Melbourne, has been in custody since his arrest on 4 October at Noosa on Queensland's Sunshine Coast. He is charged with assault occasioning bodily harm and strangulation in a domestic setting, allegations involving his wife, Snezana Wood, during a family holiday. The more serious strangulation charge places him in a "show cause" position, meaning there is a presumption against bail unless he can demonstrate he does not pose a risk of re-offending.
Previous bail denial
An earlier court hearing heard that Snezana Wood was supportive of the charges and alleged she was choked to the point of "cessation of breath" and had her head banged on the floor. Police prosecutor Jeanette Grigoris said the victim thought she was going to die. Wood was initially denied bail.
Supreme Court arguments
On Friday, Wood's lawyer Paula Morreau KC told the Supreme Court there was no suggestion Wood suffered from addiction, despite crown submissions referencing drug and alcohol use and a "party lifestyle". Morreau said Wood proposed to reside in Tasmania with his father and agree to a condition not to enter Victoria, where Snezana lives. She argued Wood had been under "significant stressors" and "struggles with anger" but usually leaves the situation, showing capacity for self-control. The defence proposed he undertake a "men's behavioural change" course if released.
Prosecution opposition
Crown prosecutor Jessica Guy highlighted "serious features" of the allegations, noting the violence extended beyond force to the neck to banging the victim's head against skirting boards, occurring in the presence of an adult witness and near young children. She submitted the applicant's conduct had escalated.
Surety and delay concerns
Morreau said a person close to Wood had offered a "very substantial" surety to guarantee his return to Queensland. She argued a trial could take more than a year, creating a real prospect Wood would spend more time in pre-sentence custody than any eventual sentence if convicted. Wood is currently held at the high-security Wolston correctional centre near Brisbane and was not brought to court for Friday's hearing. The bail hearing continues.
