Michael Jonathon Slater pleads guilty in Noosa court to obstructing police

An Australian cricket star has opened up in court on how a six-figure tax bill was his undoing the night he verbally abused police officers and resisted arrest at his Noosa home.

Michael Slater leaving Noosa Magistrates Court after a previous court appearance. Picture: Patrick Woods.

A former Australian cricket star held back tears in court as he opened up about how he “was at the top of his game and dropped the ball”.

Michael Jonathon Slater, 53, pleaded guilty on November 21 in Noosa Magistrates Court to three counts of obstructing police.

An earlier charge of assaulting an officer was downgraded to obstructing police.

Police prosecutor David Hoffman said officers visited Slater’s Noosa Heads home on March 31, 2023 for a welfare check after he sent a text to an ex-partner threatening suicide.

Mr Hoffman described Slater as “combative and aggressive” as he resisted arrest and verbally abused officers.

On Tuesday Slater stood at the court bar table alone, with a supporter in the public gallery, while his lawyer had sent a written submission to the court.

Slater told magistrate Chris Callaghan that the past three years had been the most difficult of his “high-performing” and “high-profile” life.

Slater said he was triggered by a $130,000 tax bill on the day of the offending, and was shameful of not acknowledging police.

Michael Slater (pictured after a previous court appearance) played 74 tests and 42 one-day internationals for Australia between 1993 and 2001. Picture: Patrick Woods.

“I’ve lost everything, I’ve lost my job,” Slater said.

“I was at the top of my game and I’ve dropped the ball in the last three years after my marriage broke up and I’ve struggled not living with my three beautiful kids.

“I found the loss of my purpose in my work, which was everything, and my income to be highly impactful on me as a person.”

Mr Hoffman said officers struggled to handcuff Slater on the night of the incident.

“I’m not f---ing adhering to this,” Slater said to police officers, the court was told.

The court heard he had consumed a moderate amount of alcohol.

Slater pulled his handcuffed wrist away from an officer which left a small cut on the officer’s finger, the court was told.

“You’re not putting any f---ing handcuffs on me,” he told police.

Additional police officers arrived shortly after midnight and while Slater first responded calmly initially he turned aggressive and unleashed verbal abuse.

He again resisted arrest and officers used physical force to pin Slater’s arm behind his back, the court heard.

Mr Slater, who played 74 tests and 42 one-day internationals for Australia between 1993 and 2001, was taken to hospital where he spent the night.

Slater told the court he would return to a retreat where he has access to one-on-one therapy to assist in his mental wellbeing.

He said he “understood the mistakes” made as his voice broke emotionally and stifled his tears in the quiet courtroom.

Mr Callaghan labelled Slater’s behaviour as unfortunate and threatening but accepted Slater had worked to seek support for himself.

He fined Slater $600 and convictions were not recorded.