Bachelor Australia Alum Sam Wood Denied Bail Following Domestic Violence Charges

Reality television personality and fitness entrepreneur Sam Wood will remain incarcerated after bail was denied over alleged domestic violence offences.

Wood was taken into custody on Saturday at a Sunshine Coast beachfront residence and subsequently faced charges of domestic violence assault and strangulation.

His legal representative informed the court on Thursday that Wood intends to argue self-defence during an altercation, while firmly denying the strangulation allegation.

The 46-year-old gained national attention during the 2015 season and later served as the face of the online fitness brand 28 by Sam Wood, from which he was severed following his arrest.

Wood, a Melbourne resident who was holidaying in Noosa, appeared via videolink at Maroochydore Magistrates Court to apply for bail after five nights in detention.

Prosecutors presented a video statement from the alleged victim in which she described being choked, struggling to breathe, and having her head struck against the floor.

‘She believed she was going to die,’ said Sergeant Jeanette Grigoris.

Authorities also submitted photographs of the complainant’s injuries and a recording of an emergency call in which a witness reported the woman was choked.

The complainant supports the criminal charges, Grigoris confirmed.

Defence counsel Mathew Cuskelly argued there was insufficient evidence for the strangulation charge, calling this ‘unusual’ given the severity of the allegations.

Cuskelly also maintained that his client had been involved in a dispute where the complainant was ‘hostile’ when pushed, potentially warranting a self-defence claim.

Cuskelly stated that Wood suffers from severe depression and argued bail was necessary for mental health treatment and to salvage his professional reputation, which he said had ‘taken a hell of a beating’.

However, Grigoris warned of risks including witness interference, reoffending, or failure to return to Queensland for court proceedings.

On Monday, a family statement was posted on Wood’s and his wife’s social media accounts.

‘This is a difficult time for all of us. We are working through this as a family and cooperating fully with authorities,’ the post read.

DBG Health, which acquired Wood’s fitness brand for millions in 2022, initially placed him on ‘indefinite leave’ before terminating all commercial arrangements ‘effective immediately’.

‘DBG Health does not tolerate domestic violence in any form, and our thoughts are with those affected,’ the company stated.

Since the charges, several fitness influencers and sponsors have severed ties with Wood, including trainer Tiffiny Hall and Married At First Sight participant Jules Robinson.

Wood rose to prominence during the 2015 season of The Bachelor Australia, where he met contestant Snezana Markoski.

The couple married in 2018 and have four daughters, including one from Markoski’s previous relationship.

Wood is scheduled to return to court on 23 November.

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