Views: 18
THE RUNDOWN
- Sam Wood has requested a hearing to appeal after his second application was denied on October 30, 2026. The court will hear his third bail application on Tuesday, November 17, at Brisbane Supreme Court.
- Previously, Wood’s defence has argued that if denied bail, he risks serving more time on remand awaiting a late-2027 or 2028 trial than he would if convicted. On appeal, they will argue that the previous bail decisions were “unreasonable or plainly unjust”.
- Proposed bail conditions include relocating to his family home in Tasmania, attending a men’s behavioural change program and reporting to police three times a week. They also offered a $1 million surety.
Content Warning: This article contains mentions and details of alleged domestic violence and assault
This is a developing story and was last updated November 5, at 4:23pm AEDT.
The date for fitness entrepreneur and former reality TV star Sam Wood‘s third bail application has been set for Tuesday, 17 November 2026. Wood has remained behind bars after the Brisbane Supreme Court rejected his previous two bail applications over alleged domestic violence offences involving his wife, Snezana Wood. Following a rejected second bail on Friday, October 30th the 46-year-old’s team have asked for an expedited hearing, filing paperwork with the Court of Appeal (COA).
According to court documents viewed by the ABC, Wood’s team will argue that Justice McCafferty failed to consider the length of time Wood would spend in custody awaiting trial, and whether the conditions suggested would reduce the risk of further offending.
On October 30, 2026, Justice Patrick McCafferty formally refused Wood’s second bail application. After hearing that Wood had allegedly told his wife and stepdaughter they could “both die,” alongside discussions regarding his “party” lifestyle and substance use, McCafferty ruled that Wood’s defence team had not proven he would not pose a risk to the safety of others, commit further offences, or interfere with witnesses. As reported by the ABC, while McCafferty stressed the allegations remained untested, he emphasised they were “extremely serious.”
Wood has spent 27 days in custody since his arrest last month at a Noosa apartment complex. He is charged with assault occasioning bodily harm and strangulation in a domestic setting following an altercation on October 3. His legal team have indicated he will fight the charges.
Related: A Complete Timeline Of Sam Wood’s Domestic Violence Charges
Related: Every Public Figure Who Has Spoken Out Following The Sam Wood Domestic Violence Charges
The October 3 Allegations Restated
The court heard the incident escalated the night before the family was due to depart their Sunshine Coast vacation, following an argument over packing. It is alleged Wood told his wife and stepdaughter they “can both die” and that he would send them back to their families.
The prosecution alleges that when Snezana Wood stood between her husband and her 21-year-old daughter, Wood pushed her into a bedroom door. The court heard the door was then closed, at which point Snezana Wood’s daughter heard “muffled” noises, “gasping,” and “striking and bumping into walls.”
Inside the room, Wood allegedly grabbed his wife by the throat with one hand, forced her against a wall, and threw her to the ground. The Crown claims he tightened his grip and repeatedly banged her head against the floor or wall, leaving her unable to breathe or yell for help.
Crown Highlights Escalating Violence And Alleged Previous Offending
Opposing the release, Crown prosecutor Jessica Guy argued Wood posed an “unacceptable risk,” pointing to newly revealed allegations of a prior strangulation incident involving his wife in Victoria in 2021.
The Crown argued that Wood’s behaviour was escalating, noting that while Defence argued he often walked away and exercised “self-control” in managing his anger issues during arguments, allegedly resorting to strangling his wife twice demonstrated his offending was getting worse. Guy also cited recent data identifying strangulation as a predictive risk factor for future, more serious domestic violence, noting a recent taskforce recommended courts opt against granting bail in such cases.
Defence Addressed Partying And Alleged Drug Use
According to 7News, Moreau said: “There was alleged drug use, alcohol use and a party lifestyle but it is not suggested Wood suffered from addiction.” She continued, “While the applicant struggles with anger and irritation, he usually leaves and takes time [and is] willing to avoid confrontation. That’s an important component to assessing his risk.” Like his previous legal counsel, she raised his lack of prior convictions and adverse bail history. “He is a man who has never before faced a charge; he has no adverse bail history; he has no prior domestic violence order or breaches thereof.”
She also argued that Wood had “worked his entire life and been a successful businessman”, but that the allegations and subsequent charges had left his employment “in a precarious state”.
Defence Argues Minimal Risk And Lengthy Remand
As reported by the Sydney Morning Herald, defence barrister Paula Morreau KC argued the acting magistrate who initially denied bail had erred, stating that strict conditions — including residing with family in Tasmania, reporting to police three times a week, and attending a behavioural change program—would reduce any risk to a minimal and acceptable level.
Ms Morreau challenged the Crown’s claims of escalating violence, noting the 2021 Victoria allegations are untested and lack the support of a witness or medical attention. She argued there had been a “substantial period of time” between the two incidents and that Wood does not suffer from addiction, meaning his lifestyle would not impede his ability to follow bail conditions.
The defence also emphasised that Wood is at risk of spending more time on remand awaiting a trial — which may not occur until late 2027 — than he would serve if convicted. Ms Morreau noted the Crown and the defence agree a likely head sentence, if convicted, would fall around the two-year mark, with Mr Wood to be released into the community under supervision after 12 months.
Sam Wood’s Failed Suppression Bid:
As reported by ABC on October 22, Wood’s bid to suppress media reporting of the court documents has been largely unsuccessful. His defence argued journalists should be restricted from publishing details of the 2021 allegations or the names of those supporting his bail application. While a temporary order restricting access to non-redacted files remains in place for the next few weeks, the earlier allegations can continue to be reported.
What Happens Now?
This decision means that Wood will remain at high-security Wolston Correctional Centre on remand before trial. The court heard that his trial could be delayed until 2028.
Help Is Available:
If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, support is available:
- Immediate Danger: Call 000 for emergency police and ambulance assistance.
- 1800RESPECT: Call 1800 737 732 or text 0458 737 732 (available 24/7 for confidential national counselling, information, and support). Online chat is also available at 1800respect.org.au.
- Lifeline: Call 13 11 14 or text 0477 13 11 14 (24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention).
- Men’s Referral Service: Call 1300 766 491 (support and referral for men concerned about their own behaviour or relationships).
- Kids Helpline: Call 1800 55 1800 (confidential support for young people aged 5 to 25).
- 13YARN: Call 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people).
The post Sam Wood Is Making A Third Bail Application After Two Rejected Bids appeared first on ELLE.
