Michael Slater sentenced to 4 years in prison for henious crime

Former Australian Test cricketer Michael Slater has been sentenced to four years in prison after pleading guilty to multiple charges, including domestic violence and stalking. The former Test opener and TV commentator will be released immediately after already serving more than a year in custody.

Michael Slater played 74 Tests from 1993 to 2001. He scored over 5,000 runs at an impressive average of 42.80, including 14 centuries and 21 fifties. The former batter scored 1,634 runs in 42 ODIs at an average of 24.07. After retiring from professional cricket in 2004, he moved into a career as a commentator.

Michael Slater Facing Allegations of Multiple Domestic Violence Offences

Michael Slater was facing allegations of multiple domestic violence offences, including assault, strangulation, stalking, and burglary, linked to incidents in Queensland's Noosa region between late 2023 and early 2024. Police also found abusive messages he sent to a woman during a welfare check in March 2024.

SHORTS

View More

Your daily dose of cricket!

Loading...

Slater was taken into custody in April 2024 and spent more than 12 months behind bars after several unsuccessful bail applications. He had even collapsed in court upon being denied bail last year. Notably, he received a two-year community corrections order from a Sydney court after admitting to charges in 2022.

"Mr. Slater, You Are an Alcoholic" - Judge Glen Cash

During his sentencing at Maroochydore District Court in Queensland, Judge Glen Cash stated that Michael Slater’s alcoholism was the root cause of his issues. The judge noted that Slater’s rehabilitation would be challenging, as alcoholism is deeply ingrained in his behavior.

The court also heard that Slater had threatened self-harm to prevent the victim from reporting his harassment, and his behavior had become progressively erratic over time.

"It's obvious Mr Slater that you are an alcoholic," he told the court.

"Your rehabilitation will not be easy - alcoholism is part of your make-up."

Michael Slater Sentenced to Four Years' Imprisonment

Slater remained silent as both the defense and prosecution debated his time in custody. Crown prosecutor Alex Stark recommended a five-year prison term with the possibility of parole after three years.

Slater's lawyer, Greg McGuire, said that the choking incident wasn’t severe and that Slater had refrained from alcohol during his 375 days in custody. McGuire requested a three-year sentence with immediate parole. He highlighted Slater’s desire to return to New South Wales to be with his family.

"He wishes to go back to New South Wales where members of his family reside," Mr McGuire told the court.

"Whether he gets better is entirely up to him — he has been without alcohol for a year."

Judge Cash acknowledged that Slater's early guilty plea demonstrated cooperation and remorse. Slater was sentenced to four years in prison, with part of the sentence suspended due to the time he had already spent in custody.

Also read: Harsha Bhogle issues an official statement after CAB blocks him and Simon Doull from Eden Gardens