Man Accused of Chaining His Partner to Her Bed So She Wouldn't 'Sneak Out' and Cheat on Him: Reports By Becca Longmire

A woman in Australia was allegedly chained to her bed by a partner who feared she would “sneak out” and cheat on him.

Zane Woodward, 34, who lived with his partner in Oak Flats, south of the city of Wollongong in New South Wales (NSW), has been accused of using a chain and lock to restrain his girlfriend, per Australian newspaper the Daily Telegraph.

The outlet stated that the woman would occasionally be unlocked to use the bathroom or eat, citing police sources.

The chain consisted of a “heavy set, metal chain link which was fashioned into a cuff and padlocked to her right ankle,” news.com.au reported, citing police, adding that the “cuff was then padlocked to a chain that was secured to the bed frame.”

The suspect reportedly started chaining the alleged victim, whose identity has not been revealed, to the bed in June or July this year, the outlet noted, adding that he’s accused of also taking her cell phone, wallet and keys and isolating her from her family, friends and work. They reportedly began dating in September 2024.

NSW Police confirmed in a news release that a 32-year-old woman had gone to Lake Illawarra Police Station “to report an alleged domestic violence offense” just after 2 p.m. local time on Tuesday, Aug. 5.

“Police were told a 34-year-old man – who is known to her – allegedly detained her at a home on The Esplanade, Oak Flats where she was allegedly assaulted by him,” the release stated, without identifying the suspect by name.

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“The woman was taken to Shellharbour Hospital for further treatment of her injuries,” police added, stating that the man was then arrested at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 6 at a home on Esplanade, Oak Flats.

Police said of the charges the suspect is facing, “He was taken to Lake Illawarra Police Station where he was charged with take/detain person with intent to obtain advantage (DV), common assault (DV), kidnap with intent to commit serious indictable offence occasion aggravated bodily harm, assault occasioning actual bodily harm (DV), and stalk/intimidate intend fear physical etc harm (domestic).”

Per the Daily Telegraph and news.com.au, the alleged victim managed to escape after Woodward took her to an ATM in Central Ave, Oak Flats. 

She allegedly hid in a pharmacy and managed to get help from a customer before heading to the police station to report the crime, news.com.au stated.

On Thursday, Aug. 7 prosecutors alleged that the woman showed police her injuries and that evidence “consistent” with her accusations was found in their home, per the Daily Telegraph.

Medical experts documented evidence of numerous broken ribs, bruising and a fractured eye socket. noting that the injuries were “a couple of weeks old,” according to news.com.au.

The suspect’s lawyer, Matthew Ward, acknowledged that his client was facing “very serious allegations,” but pointed out that Woodward’s mother, who lived adjacent to her son and his partner, believed the couple were living “happily” together, per the Daily Telegraph.

Woodward, who has learning disabilities, reportedly has a history of domestic violence allegations.

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The suspect is expected to return to court on Oct. 8, the Daily Telegraph noted, and his request for bail was denied.

The NSW courts didn’t immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE and NSW Police didn’t have any further information to add at this time. PEOPLE also attempted to contact Woodward’s lawyer.

If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.