Former Australian Test opener Michael Slater has been sentenced to four years in prison after pleading guilty to a series of domestic violence-related charges. The 55-year-old was sentenced on Tuesday in the Maroochydore District Court in Queensland, but he is set to be released immediately as the sentence was backdated to cover time already served in custody. The remainder of his sentence has been suspended for five years.
Slater had been behind bars since his bail was refused last year. His charges included unlawful stalking or intimidation, breaking and entering with intent at night, common assault, assault occasioning bodily harm, and choking or suffocation. The offenses reportedly occurred between December 2023 and April of the same year. He was also charged with breaching a domestic violence order.
Slater’s legal troubles have persisted in recent years. In 2022, he faced similar domestic violence charges in Sydney, which were dismissed on mental health grounds. At the time, the court mandated that Slater follow a 12-month treatment plan under medical supervision. He was diagnosed with major depressive disorder, alcohol addiction, borderline personality disorder, and ADHD.
Slater enjoyed a decorated cricketing career, debuting for Australia in 1993. He represented the country in 73 Test matches, scoring 5,312 runs at an average of nearly 43, and played 42 One Day Internationals before retiring in 2004. After hanging up his boots, he transitioned into television commentary, becoming a familiar face in cricket broadcasting until his legal troubles surfaced.
The recent ruling marks a somber chapter for a once-celebrated athlete whose off-field struggles have overshadowed his sporting achievements.
