Sam Wood to apply for bail after DV charges, being dumped from fitness empire

Bachelor star Sam Wood has denied allegations of domestic violence as he fights in court to be released on bail, with his lawyer arguing he may be entitled to a self-defence case.

After five nights behind bars in a holding cell, Mr Wood is applying for bail in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Thursday afternoon.

He is charged with assault occasioning bodily harm (domestic violence) and strangulation in a domestic setting, following an alleged incident at Noosa on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast on Saturday.

The 46-year-old appeared in court via videolink from his cell, dressed in watchhouse greens.

As he sat in the sunlight, the bars of his cell were reflected onto the back wall.

His lawyer Mathew Cuskelly argued his client could potentially argue a self-defence case if the matter was to reach trial.

“My client may indeed be entitled to a self-defence argument,” he said.

“He is indicating a set of circumstances that may result in that.”

Speaking on the details of the case, Mr Cuskelly said a dispute broke out at the Noosa holiday home.

“My client’s step-daughter engaged with him in a hostile matter,” he told the court.

“Mr Wood’s pushed his wife away.

“Importantly, there is a denial in respect to any strangulation.”

Police prosecutor Sergeant Jeanette Grigoris told the court on Thursday that the alleged victim had given a recorded statement, though they had not yet got a statement from a witness.

“We have been in contact with the complainant ... she is in support of the criminal charges,” Sergeant Grigoris said.

Photographs of the alleged victim’s injuries were tendered in court.

Mr Cuskelly said it was “notable” that a statement from a paramedic indicated there were only markings on the left side of the alleged victim’s neck.

“What is notable is the absence of any photographs of the neck area - given that that seems to be the central focus of the alleged assault, one would have assumed the investigators would have photographed that particular area,” he said.

“It seems unusual, given the nature and the alleged gravity of the (alleged) assault.”

Mr Cuskelly said his client denied the allegations, including immediately after his arrest and without legal representation, despite asking “two or three times” for a lawyer.

“We’ve got piecemeal information at the moment,” he said.

“There is very little in the way of being able to demonstrably dissect what the police have at the moment.”

If granted bail, Mr Wood would return to Melbourne and immediately engage in mental health treatment, the court was told.

“This is a man who has no prior history and (who) disputes the allegations,” Mr Cuskelly said.

“Diagnosed with severe depression by a pre-eminent forensic psychologist, he ought to be given the opportunity to engage therapeutically with mental health professionals.

“And also try to salvage something out of his professional reputation, which has taken a hell of a beating.”

Bachelor star’s day in court

Mr Wood’s father Andrew arrived at court about 1pm local time on Thursday, flanked by Mr Wood’s lawyer Mathew Cuskelly and barrister David Cole.

Asked by reporters in the waiting media scrum whether he was confident in getting bail for his client, Mr Cuskelly said, “We’ll see what happens”.

About 20 journalists packed into the courtroom, with Mr Wood’s father seated at the front of the media gallery. The crowd was silent ahead of proceedings commencing.

Mr Wood’s wife Snezana, who he met on his 2015 season of The Bachelor Australia, was not present in court.

The father and legal team of Bachelor star Sam Wood have arrived at court ahead of his bail application on domestic violence charges.

Mr Wood has been in custody since Saturday night after an alleged incident at a property on Hastings St, Noosa on Queensland’s idyllic Sunshine Coast.

He was charged with assault occasioning bodily harm (domestic violence) and strangulation in a domestic setting and refused police bail.

His lawyer has previously advised Mr Wood would fight the charges.

The identity of the alleged victim has not been revealed in open court.

Strangulation under the circumstances carries a maximum sentence of seven years’ jail under Queensland law.

Fitness world cuts ties with Sam Wood

Mr Wood shot to fame after appearing on the 2015 season of The Bachelor Australia where he met his now wife Snezana Wood, previously Markoski.

Shortly after appearing on the show, Mr Wood launched his fitness empire, known as 28 by Sam Wood. He sold the company to myDNA Inc, under the umbrella of DBG Health, for $71m in 2022.

The Aussie star remained the brand’s public face until this week, when he was stood down and ultimately axed by DBG Health in the wake of the allegations.

“Yesterday, DBG Health announced Mr Wood had been placed on indefinite leave,” a statement released on Tuesday read.

“As a result of further considerations, DBG Health has now terminated all arrangements.

“28 will continue its great work under the leadership of Mark Watkin, supported by a broader group of experienced and respected health and wellness experts including trainers and employees.”

Several celebrities and influencers who once worked closely with Mr Wood have since distanced themselves from him.

Fellow Bachelor Australia star Matt Agnew, former Biggest Loser trainer Tiffiny Hall, actor Tammin Sursok and Married At First Sight star Jules Robinson have all made statements in the wake of Mr Wood’s arrest.

Their statements did not directly comment on the matters currently before the court, but condemned domestic violence in the wider community.

Dr Agnew released a statement on his Instagram on Wednesday.

“I know Sam Wood,” it read.

“That does not soften where I stand.

“Domestic violence is abhorrent. I condemn it absolutely and unequivocally.

“Knowing someone is not a reason to look away. It is not a reason to stay quiet.

“If anything, it creates a greater responsibility to speak clearly. And on this, there is no ambiguity.

“The charges against him, particularly the allegation of strangulation, are extraordinarily serious. The behaviour alleged is abhorrent.”

Personal trainer Ms Hall, who previously spoke about her strong friendship with Mr Wood, also shared her strong stance against domestic violence.

“I have zero tolerance for domestic and family violence, and for violence of any kind,” Ms Hall’s statement read.

“It is unacceptable and entirely at odds with the standards, core values and culture I wish to cultivate.

“Before this news, my time with 28 by Sam Wood had already come to an end and I had moved on to focus on other projects.

“I will continue to empower women to be safe, strong and supported in any way I can.”

Ms Sursok, who appeared in fitness videos with Mr Wood and interviewed him for her podcast The Sh*t Show, advised she had “immediately paused my partnership with 28 by Sam Wood”.

“I want to be clear that I have zero tolerance for domestic and family violence. It’s an issue I care deeply about, and one that I will always stand firmly against,” she said in a statement.

“My thoughts are with anyone impacted by domestic and family violence.”

Ms Robinson also notified her followers she was discontinuing her partnership with Mr Wood following news of his charges.

“Women are my absolute priority. Their safety, wellbeing and empowerment are at the heart of what I stand for,” her statement read.

“I’m very conscious of who I choose to align myself with, both personally and professionally. My values never falter, regardless of the person or partnership.

“While I won’t comment on a matter before the courts, I stand firmly against domestic and family violence in all forms.”

Wood family’s statement

Mr and Mrs Wood both shared a statement titled “Statement from the Wood Family” on their social media on Monday regarding the court matters.

“This is a difficult time for all of us, we are working through this as a family and are thoroughly co-operating with the authorities,” it read.

The pair married in 2018 in a wedding attended by Ms Wood’s daughter Eve, 21, from a previous relationship.

The couple moved in their new $7m Brighton home in Melbourne at the start of this year.

While he has been dropped by his fitness empire, Mr Wood also owns The Woodshed – a 1000sq m gym in Brighton East in Melbourne.

He also became part of Ollo – a telehealth business focused on health for middle-aged women – earlier this year.

The business was formed in a partnership with 28 by Sam Wood and medical practitioner network Medmate.

The official social media accounts for Ollo For Women appear to have been deactivated.

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.