Bachelor star Sam Wood and his wife, Snezana, are expected to separate, his lawyer told the Supreme Court during a bail application after he spent almost a month behind bars.
The court heard allegations involving drug use, alcohol, partying and increasingly regular confrontations as Paula Morreau KC argued for the 46-year-old to be released into the care of his father in Tasmania.
Wood has been held on remand since his October 4 arrest. He is accused of strangling and assaulting 45-year-old Snezana after an alleged argument at a luxury holiday apartment in Noosa, on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.
Ms Morreau told the court Wood could potentially spend more time on remand than he would serve in prison if he were convicted.
She said a strict bail package, together with Wood relocating interstate, would “demonstrably reduce the relevant risk” to the community if he were released.
Wood did not attend the hearing, either in person or via video link from Wolston Correctional Centre, where he remains in custody.
His marriage became a focus of the bail application, with the court hearing allegations of alcohol and drug use, arguments and an earlier choking incident said to have occurred in 2021.
Ms Morreau said Snezana had reported significant strain in the relationship during the month before the alleged assault.
Former Bachelor star Sam Wood and his wife, Snezana, are expected to separate, his lawyer has told the Supreme Court during his bail application after almost a month behind bars
The reality television star and fitness influencer was arrested after an alleged dispute at a luxury Noosa apartment, while his reputation, business and marriage have since come under intense scrutiny
“They are expected to separate. There was alleged drug use, alcohol use and a party lifestyle, but it is not suggested that Wood suffered from addiction.”
Ms Morreau accepted that Wood had struggled with anger and irritation, but said he generally removed himself from confrontations.
“While he struggled with anger and irritation, he usually leaves and takes time, and is willing to avoid confrontation,” she said.
Ms Morreau said the allegations relating to the current case were “supported by another witness”, while the claims about the earlier incident had not yet been tested.
The court heard Snezana had retained photographs from an alleged 2021 incident in which she said Wood had also choked her.
Prosecutors told the court they would prefer Wood to remain in Queensland if bail were granted.
Ms Morreau argued Tasmania would be a more suitable location, pointing to its island setting and the support Wood could receive from his family.
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Under the proposed bail conditions, Wood would live in Tasmania with his father, Andrew, who has continued to support his son.
Snezana Wood was seen without her wedding ring earlier this month
Wood hopes to live with his father, Andrew (pictured), if bail is granted. His father said he continued to stand by his son but had not seen him since Wood was held in the watch house. Asked whether it was a difficult time, he replied: “Of course it is”
Before the hearing, Wood’s father largely declined to comment but said he had not seen his son since he was held in the watch house following his arrest.
Asked if he stood by his son, he replied: ‘Yes.’
Asked whether it was a very difficult time, he said: ‘Of course it is.’
Wood was arrested after his stepdaughter, Eve Markoski-Wood, 21, called police on October 3, alleging he had harmed her mother at the family’s $3,000-a-night La Mer holiday apartment on Hastings Street in Noosa.
Police allege the attack was so severe that Snezana feared she was going to die.
Wood allegedly argued with his wife on the night before the family was due to fly home to Melbourne following their Noosa holiday.
He was arrested and charged with assault occasioning bodily harm (domestic violence) and strangulation in a domestic setting.
Wood was initially held in the Maroochydore watch house before being transferred to Brisbane Correctional Centre and later to Wolston Correctional Centre.
He was previously denied bail in Maroochydore Magistrates Court before taking his bid for release to the Supreme Court.
Since his arrest, Snezana has stopped wearing her wedding ring, and the couple’s $6 million mansion in Brighton, Victoria, has been listed for sale.
The couple share three young daughters. Eve is Snezana’s daughter from a previous relationship.
During an earlier bail application in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on October 8, police prosecutor Jeanette Grigoris tendered photographs of injuries allegedly sustained by Snezana.
Sergeant Grigoris said Snezana had given strong evidence that she was choked to the point of a ‘cessation of breath’ before her head was allegedly banged on the floor.