Man arrested for allegedly chaining his girlfriend to bed so she wouldn't 'sneak out' and cheat

A man was arrested for allegedly chaining his girlfriend to her bed so she wouldn't “sneak out of the house to have sex with other men,” police said.

Australian outlet Daily Telegraph reported that 34-year-old Zane Woodward from New South Wales, Australia started chaining his 32-year-old partner, who remains unidentified, last June or July.

She was occasionally unchained to eat or go to the bathroom, though the suspect would sometimes deny her access to the toilet. He would also keep her locked when he left their home.

Woodward is also accused of taking her mobile phone, wallet, and keys, as well as isolating her from her family, friends, and workplace. 

The two started dating in September 2024 and the chaining allegedly began a month or two ago.

According to news.com.au, the suspect used a “heavy set, metal chain link” cuffed to the woman’s ankle. The “cuff was then padlocked to a chain that was secured to the bed frame.” 

New South Wales police were alerted about the alleged offense on Aug. 5, after the victim managed to escape while checking a bank balance in an ATM. Police say she hid in a pharmacy to ask for help.

The victim was taken to Shellharbour Hospital. Medical experts, as reported by news.com.au, found evidence of multiple broken ribs, bruising, and a fractured eye socket, some of which were “a couple of weeks old.”

Woodward was arrested on Aug. 6. 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 a police statement. He was refused bail.

Woodward is reported to have a history of domestic violence. Matt Ward, his lawyer, told the court that his client denied the allegations.

Ward also said that Woordward was a vulnerable person and was under his mother’s care due to significant mental health issues, including a learning disability and dyslexia.

Woodward’s mother, who lived across the pair’s home, claimed that they lived together “happily.”

His next court appearance is on Oct. 8.