Former Australia cricket star Michael Slater has walked free from court after pleading guilty to a series of domestic violence charges – including two counts of choking a woman.
The ex-batter, 55, was handed a part-suspended four-year prison sentence but he left the Queensland court having already served more than a year of the term because he was refused bail last year. Slater pleaded guilty to two counts of common assault, one of unlawful striking, one of assault occasioning bodily harm, burglary and two counts of strangulation.
Following the plea Judge Glen Cash told Slater: “It’s obvious that you are an alcoholic. Your rehabilitation will not be easy, alcoholism is part of your make-up.”
Judge Cash said that the remainder of Slater’s sentence is suspended for five years but he will return to custody if he is found to have committed another offence.
Australia’s Supreme Court Paul Freeburn had previously heard that Slater has been diagnosed with a number of mental health conditions, while defence barrister Gregory McGuire last summer argued that his client should be bailed on the condition he went into rehabilitation.
Slater scored more than 5,000 runs – including 14 centuries and 21 half-centuries – during a 74-Test career for the Aussies between 1993 and 2001. He also played in 41 One-Day Internationals and spent time with Derbyshire.
Upon retirement he became a commentator – including with Channel 4 – but was relieved of his duties by Australia’s Channel 7 in 2021.
When he was denied bail in April 2024, Slater collapsed in court and had to be helped to his feet by prison officers before being led away.
In 2022 a Sydney court sentenced him to a two-year community corrections order – a non-custodial punishment in Australia – after pleading guilty to charges including common assault and attempted stalking.
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