Sam Wood: Ex-Bachelor star makes second bail bid on domestic violence charges
Sam Wood, the face of a reality TV show who built a $71 million fitness empire, is taking his fight for bail to a state Supreme Court.
A former reality TV star will make a second application for bail after taking his fight to a state’s highest court.
Former Bachelor star and fitness guru Sam Wood, 46, has been on remand since being arrested on domestic violence charges on October 4.
His successful home fitness business 28 By Sam Wood has since cut ties with its namesake and, on Thursday, rebranded to evvr, while his family has reportedly returned to Melbourne.
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He will take his case to the Brisbane Supreme Court on Friday morning.
Wood lost a bid for a non-publication order last Friday that would have blocked media from seeing court files relating to his proceedings.
Wood’s stepdaughter Eve Markoski-Wood, 21, called police on October 3, alleging he had harmed her mother, fellow Bachelor star Snezana Wood, at a unit on Noosa’s Hastings Street tourist precinct.
In an earlier bail application at Maroochydore Magistrates Court on October 8, police prosecutor Jeanette Grigoris submitted photos of injuries Ms Wood allegedly sustained.
The alleged victim had given strong evidence of claims she was choked to “cessation of breath” before her head was banged on the floor, Sergeant Grigoris said.
“She thought she was going to die ... she is in fear of retribution,” she said.
Snezana Wood had allegedly been seriously assaulted by her husband three or four years ago in Victoria but he was not charged, the court heard.
“She refers to that matter as being similar in nature and involved choking and trying to strangle her,” Sgt Grigoris said.
Wood, 46, posed a risk of not attending court if released, she submitted.
“He has no connections to Queensland,” Sgt Grigoris said.
“He does have the resources to essentially flee the jurisdiction.”
Wood’s lawyer Mathew Cuskelly told the court his client had no criminal record and his version of events indicated he might be entitled to a self-defence argument, saying there had been “hostilities”.
“He pushed her away. There is denial of any strangulation,” he said.
But Acting Magistrate Janelle Boegheim refused bail, describing the prosecution case as relatively strong and saying consideration for bail could be revisited if the case strength changes.
Wood earned a national profile as a star of The Bachelor’s third season in 2015, launching a successful home fitness business 28 By Sam Wood.
He reportedly sold it in 2022 for more than $70 million but remained the face of the online platform.
The platform was rebranded on Thursday as evvr, removing references to Wood.
If you or someone you know is experiencing family violence, phone 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) or the Crisis Care Helpline on 1800 199 008.
