Shocking drug claims have emerged in court as Sam Wood makes his second attempt to get bail after almost a month in jail.
The Bachelor star – who is facing domestic violence charges after allegedly strangling his wife Snezana to death at their 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 Center where he remains.
On Friday, Mr Wood’s lawyer Paula Morreau Casey appeared in Brisbane’s Supreme Court to argue the original magistrate who refused him bail made an error in her decision.
He requested the 46-year-old be released on strict bail conditions to live with his father in Tasmania.
‘Drug use, party lifestyle’ and anger issues
However, during the bail plea, more details were aired about his marriage to Snezhana, with a court hearing the couple are set to separate as Ms Moreau 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 does not appear that Wood was suffering from addiction,” he told the court.
“While he was struggling with anger and irritation, he usually lets go and takes time (and) is prepared to avoid confrontation.”
‘Not the most serious DV charge’
Ms Moreau argued that Mr Wood’s cases, while serious, were not comparable to other more violent and extreme domestic violence cases in which defendants have been released on bail.
“I believe the crimes are serious,” she said.
“I do not discount or minimize those concessions…they are not the most serious by which bail is routinely granted by this court.”
Mr Moreau said Ms Wood’s complaint in the current Crown case was taken at “face value”, supported by her adult daughter as a witness.
He said various evidence may be subject to “admissibility issues” during the trial.
Citing research evidence that indicated strangulation convictions were associated with an increased risk of domestic violence, Ms Moreau said each individual case should be treated as such.
“The risk factors observed in the research and data are certainly not predictive of each individual case,” he said.
“The relationship was plagued by significant tensions.”
Mr Wood has not yet entered a plea or contested the charges. Each of his charges carries a maximum sentence of seven years under Queensland law.
– with newswire