The open secret about Sam Wood's drug use that tore apart his marriage: 'Deliveries' to his Brighton home, all-night parties - and the double life we knew but couldn't report until now

For years, Sam Wood cultivated the image of a squeaky-clean family man. The sort of public figure no journalist would dare associate with scandal or criminality - unless they particularly enjoyed being sued for defamation.

But that image was shattered in a Queensland court on Friday - by Wood's own barrister, Paula Morreau, KC - who laid out sensational allegations of drug use, heavy partying, anger issues and a turbulent marriage to wife Snezana during a bail application, following Wood's arrest on domestic violence charges on October 4.

Wood was eventually denied bail on Friday afternoon.

Hearing these claims enter the public record sent shockwaves through Melbourne's elite circles, where whispers about the former Bachelor's alleged double life had long circulated but never made it into print.

For years, the Daily Mail has received tip-offs from sources about Wood's alleged fondness for party favours and hard living - a picture starkly at odds with the 'no-days-off' fitness entrepreneur's carefully curated public persona.

The claims never made it into the tabloids due to the difficulty in standing up such stories, the threat of defamation action and, more recently, privacy considerations.

Wood likely has no recourse to stop such allegations being published anymore, given what his own lawyer told a court in a bid to secure his freedom. Among some former acquaintances, there is a growing sense that what was once an 'open secret' has finally spilled into public view - and not a moment too soon. 

One source familiar with Melbourne's party scene told the Mail that Wood had allegedly been using a discreet drug delivery network that services wealthy clients across suburbs including Toorak, Brighton and South Yarra.

'There's a guy in Melbourne who delivers drugs to a lot of well-known people. He promises to have it to your door within 30 minutes, and the more you buy, the cheaper it gets,' the source said.

'I knew Sam was getting these deliveries. He would contact the dealer on an ad-hoc basis, either when he was out partying without Snezana or when he was at home.'

The insider claimed Wood had increasingly been socialising without his wife, who is not accused of any involvement with drugs and is understood to have been deeply distressed by her husband's alleged behaviour.

The source alleged his nights out usually involved drinking and drugs.

'He was going out without Snez more and more. He'd have drinks with the boys and then get on it,' the source said.

Even more concerning, the source claimed Wood had ordered drugs to be delivered to the family home, including when other family members were present.

Some of Wood's alleged gatherings were said to have attracted the attention of neighbours, with complaints made about parties continuing late into the night.

'Locals were aware of the parties at Sam's, and there were complaints. I can imagine that would have been disruptive for the family,' said a source.

The insider said certain drugs had become increasingly normalised in Melbourne's affluent social circles - 'particularly since the pandemic'.

'It's been going on for years,' they added.

The source on the party scene spoke out following Wood's Supreme Court bail hearing, where his own lawyer raised allegations of drug use, alcohol consumption and a 'party lifestyle' while revealing that his marriage to wife Snezana was expected to end.

Morreau made the extraordinary admissions - which also included describing how Wood 'struggled with anger' - as she argued for his release to live with his elderly father in Tasmania after spending nearly a month behind bars.

'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.

Wood has been on remand since his October 4 arrest, accused of strangling and assaulting Snezana, 45, following an alleged argument at a luxury holiday apartment in Noosa, on Queensland's Sunshine Coast.

He has not faced trial and the abuse allegations against him remain unproven.

Ms Morreau made the argument that Wood could spend longer on remand than he would serve in prison if convicted.

She said the proposed strict bail conditions, combined with Wood living interstate, would 'demonstrably reduce the relevant risk' to the community if he were released.

Wood did not appear in court, either in person or by video link from Wolston Correctional Centre, where he is being held.

His marriage came under intense scrutiny during the application, with the court hearing allegations of alcohol and drug use, arguments and a previous choking incident in 2021.

Ms Morreau told the court that Snezana had described significant strain on the relationship in the month before the alleged assault.

She also acknowledged that Wood struggled with anger and irritation, but argued he generally removed himself from confrontations and 'had the capacity for self-control'.

'While he struggled with anger and irritation he usually leaves and takes time [and is] willing to avoid confrontation,' she said.

Ms Morreau said the current allegations were supported by another witness, while the allegations concerning the earlier incident remained untested.

The court heard that Snezana had kept photographs from the alleged 2021 incident in which she claimed Wood had also choked her.

Crown Prosecutor Jessica Guy told the court that Wood's alleged violent 'conduct has escalated' and said police had been called over the previous incident in 2021. 

She pointed to 'a number of serious features' of the October 3 Noosa incident.

'It was for an extended period of time, there was a degree of force, her ability to speak was removed. Snezana tried to remove his hand or hands from her neck when she hit the skirting board, and he was not deterred despite it occurring largely in the presence of an adult witness and near young children.'

Ms Guy said the risk Wood posed to the community or others needed to take into account 'the nature of this type of conduct, the nature of strangulation and choking as a predictive risk factor for future domestic violence and escalating domestic violence'.

Prosecutors said they would prefer Wood to remain in Queensland if granted bail.

However, Ms Morreau argued he would be best placed in Tasmania, citing its island location and the support he would receive from family.

Under the proposed bail arrangements, Wood would live with his father, Andrew, who has stood by him.

Before the hearing, Andrew largely declined to comment but said he had not seen his son since he was held in the watch house following his arrest.

Asked if he stood by his son, he replied: 'Yes.'

Asked whether it was a very difficult time, he said: 'Of course it is.' 

Meanwhile, Snezana was spotted without her wedding ring as she broke cover ahead of Sam's court hearing on Friday.

The former reality television star has largely kept a low profile since her husband's arrest, as the future of their marriage hangs in the balance.

Looking stoic, the mother of four emerged shortly after 8.30am to walk her two young daughters to school before making the journey back home.

She dressed for comfort in a black jumper and matching leggings, completing her look with a yellow baseball cap and sneakers.

At about 9.15am, a female friend or family member was seen leaving the property in her car before driving around the block and heading towards the children's school.

Later, at about 11.30am, a postie arrived at the home with a package.

A dark-haired woman briefly appeared at the door to collect it, although it could not be confirmed whether it was Snezana.

Police previously told the court they had been given strong evidence supporting allegations that Snezana was choked to the point of 'cessation of breath' before her head was banged on the floor.

Wood was arrested after his stepdaughter, Eve Markoski-Wood, 21, called police on October 3, alleging he had harmed her mother at the family's $3,000-a-night La Mer holiday apartment on Hastings Street in Noosa.

Police allege the attack was so severe that Snezana feared she was going to die.

Wood allegedly argued with his wife on the night before the family was due to fly home to Melbourne following their Noosa holiday.

He was arrested and charged with assault occasioning bodily harm (domestic violence) and strangulation in a domestic setting.

Wood was initially held in the Maroochydore watch house before being transferred to Brisbane Correctional Centre and later to Wolston Correctional Centre.

He was previously denied bail in Maroochydore Magistrates Court before taking his bid for release to the Supreme Court.