Overview

• Broadie McGugan escaped on August 5 while at an ATM in Oak Flats, hiding in a nearby chemist before reaching Lake Illawarra Police Station for help.
• Doctors at Shellharbour Hospital treated McGugan for multiple broken ribs, significant bruising and a fractured eye socket.
• Zane Woodward was arrested on August 6 and faces counts including kidnapping with intent to commit a serious indictable offence, two domestic violence assaults occasioning actual bodily harm, common assault, intimidation and detaining for advantage.
• Police allege Woodward began chaining McGugan to their bed by her ankle in June, later extending confinement to daytime and confiscating her phone, wallet and keys.
• Woodward was denied bail and is due to appear in court in October 2025 as the case underscores growing enforcement of coercive control laws in New South Wales.