Former Australia cricketer Michael Slater sentenced following domestic violence conviction
By
SABC Sport
22nd April 2025
Former Australian cricketer Michael Slater has been sentenced to four years' imprisonment after pleading guilty to a series of domestic violence offences.
The sentence, handed down in the Maroochydore District Court, has been partially suspended, allowing Slater's immediate release from custody due to time already served.
Slater, 55, faced seven charges including two counts of choking, as well as stalking, assault, and burglary. The offences occurred on Queensland's Sunshine Coast in December 2023 and involved sustained acts of violence and intimidation against a woman. The matter was further compounded by abusive communications uncovered during a police welfare check in March 2024.
In addition to the domestic violence charges, Slater appeared before Maroochydore Magistrates Court on the same day, where he pleaded guilty to a separate charge of drink and drug driving. His release had been temporarily delayed while this matter was finalised.
Judge Glen Cash imposed a four-year sentence, with the balance suspended for a period of five years. During this time, any further offending could result in Slater being returned to custody.
Slater has a documented history of mental health issues, including diagnoses of alcohol use disorder. His defence counsel, Gregory McGuire, noted that the former athlete had been "in the grip of a terrible alcohol addiction" during the period in question and advocated for continued rehabilitation support.
This case is not Slater's first encounter with the criminal justice system. In 2022, he was convicted in New South Wales of common assault and breaching a restraining order, following repeated and unauthorised contact with a woman, in direct violation of court directives.
Michael Slater rose to prominence in the 1990s as a dynamic opening batsman for Australia, earning 74 Test caps and amassing 5,312 runs at an average of 42.83. He also appeared in 42 One Day Internationals before retiring from professional cricket in 2004 and transitioning into a media career as a cricket commentator.
The sentence marks a significant turning point in Slater's post-cricket life, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by some former professional athletes in managing life after sport. His case serves as a stark reminder of the legal consequences of domestic violence and the critical importance of addressing mental health and substance abuse within and beyond the sporting community.
