Sam Wood moves to high-security prison as lawyers seek bail
BRISBANE — Australian fitness entrepreneur and former The Bachelor star Sam Wood has been transferred to a high-security prison after being refused bail on domestic violence charges, with his lawyers preparing a fresh application to Queensland’s Supreme Court.
Wood, 46, was moved from the Maroochydore police watch house to Brisbane Correctional Centre in Wacol. He faces charges of assault occasioning bodily harm and strangulation in a domestic setting following an alleged incident at a Noosa property on Saturday, 3 October. He has not been convicted.
At Thursday’s bail hearing, the prosecution alleged that a family argument escalated into an assault that left the complainant fearing for her life. Prosecutors opposed his release, citing the seriousness of the allegations and concerns about further offending and flight risk. These were submissions at a bail hearing, rather than findings of guilt.
Wood disputes the allegations, with his legal team indicating that he intends to defend the charges. His lawyer, Mathew Cuskelly, argued for release by referring to his lack of criminal history and a psychologist’s assessment of severe depression. Acting magistrate Janelle Boegheim refused bail and remanded him until 23 November.
The case has also affected Wood’s business relationships. DBG Health, the company behind the fitness platform 28 by Sam Wood, has reportedly terminated its professional ties with him following the charges.
Wood became widely known through The Bachelor Australia in 2015 before developing his online fitness business. A statement shared by Wood and his wife following his arrest said the family was experiencing a difficult time and cooperating with authorities.
His legal representatives said on Friday that they had been instructed to apply to the Supreme Court for bail. The confirmed development is his transfer into prison custody while proceedings continue; claims that he has been threatened or targeted by other inmates could not be independently verified from the accessible reporting.
Anyone with additional information can contact the press desk at press@townpress.co.za or drop a tip on our annonymous platform https://tips.townpress.co.za/