Fitness Guru Sam Wood Refused Bail Over Alleged DV Offences
Sam Wood, a 46-year-old television personality and fitness guru, has been refused bail after being charged with assaulting and strangling his wife on a family holiday in Noosa. The alleged incident has left a dark cloud over his public image, which was once boosted by his appearance on The Bachelor and his successful fitness program, 28 by Sam Wood.
Sam Wood, a 46-year-old television personality and fitness guru, was refused bail in a Maroochydore Magistrates Court hearing on Thursday. He was charged with assaulting and strangling his wife on a family holiday in Noosa.
According to the prosecutor, the alleged incident occurred on Saturday night at a luxury beachside resort in Noosa, where Mr. Wood threw his wife against a wall and tried to strangle her after an argument. The court also heard of an alleged incident "of a similar nature" in Victoria a few years ago, which "involved choking, he also threw her up against a wall and floor and tried to strangle her," as stated by Sergeant Jeanette Grigoris.
The court heard Ms. Wood's video statement described her husband as "volatile and prone to angry outbursts" and she was "compelled to walk on eggshells around him". Magistrate Janelle Boegheim said while no police statement was made, the alleged incident and the "history of the relationship" would be admissible as evidence.
Magistrate Boegheim also noted that Mr. Wood's bail conditions would involve seeking therapeutic intervention due to a severe depressive disorder. "He alleges he did not share [this] with his wife or family members to protect them," she said.
Mr. Wood's lawyer told the court his client denied both charges and had never faced the criminal justice system. The court heard that Mr. Wood's bail application was refused, with the magistrate ordering him to remain behind bars.
Mr. Wood, who rose to fame after featuring on the reality TV show The Bachelor in 2015, was a personal trainer at his gym in Melbourne's south-east when he was selected as the lead of the show. He married Snezana, a single mother from Perth, in 2018.
The fitness program he founded, 28 by Sam Wood, quickly took off and earned him a fortune. He sold the business to pharma billionaire Dennis Bastas in 2022 for a reported $71 million and acquired a small stake in the larger business.
Following the hearing, Mr. Wood was transferred to Wacol prison in Brisbane's south-west. His legal team is preparing to file a bail application in the Supreme Court, which could be heard as early as next week.
Pending the outcome of any Supreme Court bail application, Mr. Wood will remain in prison ahead of his next court appearance on the Sunshine Coast on November 23.