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A man accused of kidnapping a woman, chaining her and assaulting her during a two-month reign of terror in his home south of Sydney has been charged with half a dozen new offences including coercive control, rape and strangulation.
Zane Woodward, 34, was arrested in August last year after a 32-year-old woman reported the alleged abuse to police in the Illawarra region.
She arrived with a fractured eye socket and multiple fractures to her ribs and was treated at Shellharbour Hospital.
Police will allege in court that Woodward detained her by chaining her up in his home on The Esplanade, Oak Flats, and that between July and August 2025, the woman was subjected to ongoing physical assaults.
He was charged with six offences including alleged kidnapping, assault, assault resulting in bodily harm, and detaining and stalking her, and was refused bail.
On Tuesday, Woodward was charged with an additional six offences including coercive control, rape, two counts of reckless choking, serious assault and common assault, following further legal advice.
Police will also allege the man threw scissors and a meat tenderiser at her.
He will face Wollongong court on Wednesday for the new charges. He has been refused bail and has been in custody since August last year and is yet to face trial on any of the charges.
Anyone needing support can contact 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732), National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028, Lifeline 13 11 14, and Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800.
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Amber Schultz is a crime and justice reporter with The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via X or email.From our partners
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