Shocking drug claims have emerged in court as Sam Wood makes his second attempt for bail after nearly a month in jail.
The Bachelor star — who is facing domestic violence charges after allegedly strangling his wife Snezana at a Noosa property — has been behind bars since his arrest on October 4.
After his first bid for bail was rejected, Mr Wood was transferred to Queensland’s high-security Wolston Correctional Centre where he remains.
On Friday, Mr Wood’s lawyer Paula Morreau KC appeared in Brisbane’s Supreme Court to argue the original magistrate who denied him bail erred in her decision.
She requested the 46-year-old be let out on strict bail conditions to live with his father in Tasmania.
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Sign up‘Drug use, party lifestyle’ and issues with anger
However, during the bail application, more details about his marriage to Snezana were aired, with the court hearing the couple are set to split as Ms Morreau revealed allegations of Mr Wood’s drug use and anger issues.
“‘They are expected to separate. There was alleged drug use, alcohol use and a party lifestyle but it is not suggested Wood suffered from addiction,” she told the court.
“While he struggled with anger and irritation he usually leaves and takes time (and is) willing to avoid confrontation.”
‘Not the most serious DV charges’
Ms Morreau argued Mr Wood’s matters, while serious, did not compare to other more violent and extreme domestic violence matters in which defendant’s had been released on bail.
“I concede the offences are serious,” she said.
“I don’t reduce or diminish that concession … they are not the most serious by which bail is routinely granted by this court.”
Mr Morreau said the current crown case took the complaint from Ms Wood, supported by her adult daughter as a witness, at “face value”.
She said various evidence could be subject to “admissibility issues” at trial.
Referring to evidence of research which indicated strangulation convictions were linked to an increased risk of escalated domestic violence, Ms Morreau said every individual case should be treated as such.
“Risk factors observed in research and data is not of course predictive in an individual case, with every individual,” she said.
“The relationship was suffering with significant stressors.”
Mr Wood has not yet made any plea and contests the charges. His charges each carry a maximum sentence of seven years under Queensland law.
- With Newswire
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