Michael Slater found guilty of domestic violence, to face four years in jail

Michael Slater pleaded guilty to domestic violence charges and was subsequently sentenced to four years of imprisonment on Tuesday, April 22. The former Australian batter could walk free after serving in the jail for a year, although his punishment lasts for 4 years. The registrar at the Maroochydore District Court claimed that there was a partial suspension of Slater's punishment.

From December 5, 2023, to April 12, 2024, multiple domestic violence offence cases were registered in Queensland's Sunshine Coast against the cricketer. The court refused to hand him bail, and the New South Wales-born stayed in police custody. The former Australian player was charged with a Noosa region woman with allegations of stalking, strangulation, assault, and burglary.

Maroochydore judge Glen Cash addressed the case and claimed Slater's rehabilitation would not be easy due to his being an alcoholic. He said that the defendant's offending had become repetitive, which was also erratic behaviour.

"Your rehabilitation will not be easy — alcoholism is part of your make-up. It was a repeating feature with his offending as his behaviour becomes more erratic," he said, as per ABC's report.

The woman felt "extremely fearful and exhausted"

Slater has reportedly suffered mental health issues since being charged with multiple offences in the past as well. "The court heard Slater made threats of self-harm as he warned the victim not to report harassment, and she felt extremely fearful and exhausted by Slater’s behaviour," the report further added.

In 2022, the Sydney court sentenced Slater to receive a community corrections order, as the Australian cricketer pleaded guilty to 'common assault and attempted stalking of a woman'. In Australia, a community corrections order is a noncustodial punishment, which means his punishment does not necessarily involve imprisonment and could be in the form of a fine, probation, discharge, suspended sentence, or community service.

Slater's cricket career

Slater played for Australia in the longest format of the game from 1993 to 2001. In 74 matches, the Australian batter scored 5312 runs at an average of 42.83, including 14 hundreds and 21 fifties. In ODIs, he scored 987 runs in 42 matches at an average of 24.07, including 9 half-centuries as well. He later turned to commentary, but had his contract terminated in 2021.