Disgraced former Australian cricket legend Michael Slater has proposed moving to other states to seek drug treatment while facing a string of domestic violence-related offences, a court has been told.
Slater, a former Test cricketer and commentator, is accused of assaulting and strangling a woman during an alleged violent tirade that lasted several months, and of bombarding her with hundreds of insulting and degrading messages.
He has been in pre-trial detention since his arrest in April this year.
During a bail application on Tuesday, Slater’s legal team argued the 54-year-old had secured a place at a residential rehabilitation clinic in NSW.
Attorney Greg McGuire said his client would “leave the state completely” to seek treatment if bail were granted. He noted there would also be restrictions on alcohol and that he would not be allowed to contact the complainant.
The Brisbane Supreme Court was told any criminal trial may not take place until 2025.
“There is a significant danger that he (Mr Slater) will have been in custody for too long by the time the case is concluded,” Mr McGuire said.
‘The proposed conditions are that he must go to the clinic in Sydney until they are satisfied he can leave.’
Disgraced former Australian cricket great Michael Slater has proposed moving from Brisbane to Sydney to undergo treatment in a rehab clinic while facing a string of domestic violence-related offences, a court has heard
Slaters’ fall has saddened sports fans in recent years (pictured after hitting a century against England in the 1999 Ashes series)
Slater would go to live with his sister in regional New South Wales if this happened, Mr McGuire added.
He said Slater was struggling with a “terrible alcohol addiction” at the time of the alleged offence.
“He has now faced the consequences of his behaviour… he has spent four and a half months in custody,” McGuire said.
Slater faces more than a dozen charges, including entering a dwelling at night, strangulation, assault causing bodily harm, stalking and violating bail conditions.
They are all said to have taken place between December 5, 2023, and April 12 of this year.
According to police, Slater sent hundreds of messages to the woman in which he repeatedly called her a “dick,” “escort,” “liar” and “slut” and threatened her with suicide.
It is further alleged that on March 17, Slater accessed the woman’s surveillance camera on the porch of her home and turned it around so that it was pointed at her house.
The woman was reportedly alerted via an app on her phone while speaking to officers at Noosa police station.
Slater’s application for bail was rejected by Chief Justice Paul Freeburn in Brisbane on Tuesday
Slater is also said to have smashed a window to gain entry into the woman’s home and attacked her by grabbing her arm.
It is alleged that he also strangled her twice.
Ultimately, Chief Justice Paul Freeburn denied bail, noting that Mr Slater had a history of domestic violence.
“The alleged violations are supported by some evidence and are ongoing and persistent,” he said.
‘The risk of further or continued violations cannot be ignored.’
According to Judge Freeburn, Slater had a long history of mental illness and had been diagnosed with ADHD, major depressive disorder, insomnia, alcohol abuse and borderline personality disorder.
The court was told that Slater had a criminal history including obstructing police, assault and stalking.
According to Judge Freeburn, Slater was not “restricted” by previous protective orders imposed by the court.
“It is difficult to be certain, or have any confidence, that he will meet the bail conditions…even from Sydney,” he said.
Slater will appear in court again in September.
