Sam Wood's lawyers prepare renewed bail application

Australian fitness entrepreneur Sam Wood's lawyer said on October 9 that he was preparing a renewed bail application to Queensland's Supreme Court after a lower court refused release.

Wood is in custody on domestic violence charges, including assault occasioning bodily harm and strangulation. The charges concern an alleged incident in Noosa the previous weekend. Lawyer Mathew Cuskelly said his client would defend the charges and might rely on self-defence.

After bail was refused, Wood was transferred from the police watch house in Maroochydore to a prison in Brisbane. A renewed application does not mean a court has authorised his release. The bail decision also does not determine guilt.

The case has affected the entrepreneur's commercial relationships. Sydney Morning Herald reported that a company linked to businessman Dennis Bastas first stood Wood aside and subsequently terminated his commercial agreement. His images were removed from the 28 fitness group's websites and social media pages.

Wood became widely known after appearing on The Bachelor Australia in 2015. He launched his online training platform in February 2016, building the 28 by Sam Wood business. In earlier accounts of its sale, Wood said the transaction was valued at A$71 million and that he personally received A$15 million.

The lawyer's new statement concerns plans to seek bail. It does not announce withdrawal of the charges or the outcome of a future hearing.