Former cricket great Michael Jonathon Slater proposes move to NSW rehab during bail application

Lawyers for a former Australian cricket legend charged with a raft of domestic violence-related offences have revealed his rehab plans in a completely new state.

Disgraced former Australian cricket great Michael Slater has proposed moving states to seek treatment in rehab while facing a raft of domestic violence-related offences, a court has been told.

Mr Slater, a former Test cricketer and commentator, is accused of assaulting and choking a woman during the alleged violent tirade, which lasted several months, as well as allegedly bombarding her with hundreds of abusive and degrading messages.

He has been in custody on remand since his arrest in April this year.

During a bail application on Tuesday, Mr Slater’s legal team submitted the 54-year-old had secured a spot in a residential rehabilitation clinic in NSW.

Former Australian Test cricketer and commentator Michael Slater is facing a number of domestic violence-related offences, alleged by police to have occurred over a number of months. Picture: Getty Images

Barrister Greg McGuire said his client would “leave the state completely” to seek treatment if bail was granted – noting there would also be restrictions on alcohol and orders not to contact the complainant.

Brisbane Supreme Court was told a potential criminal trial may not be organised until 2025.

“There is a very real danger he (Mr Slater) will have spent too much time in custody by the time the matter is disposed of,” Mr McGuire said.

“The proposed conditions are he go to the Sydney clinic until such time as they are satisfied with his ability to leave.”

Mr Slater would live with his sister in regional NSW once this occurred, Mr McGuire added.

He said Mr Slater was in the grips of a “terrible alcohol addiction” at the time of the alleged offending.

“He’s now faced the consequences of his behaviour … spending 4.5 months in custody,” Mr McGuire said.

Mr Slater is facing more than a dozen charges, including enter dwelling with intent by break at night, choking, assault occasioning bodily harm, stalking and breaching bail.

They are all alleged to have occurred between December 5, 2023 and April 12 this year.

Mr Slater applied for bail in Brisbane Supreme Court on Tuesday, with his legal team saying the former cricket great had obtained a spot in a Sydney-based rehab clinic. Picture: Getty Images

Mr Slater’s bail was refused by Justice Paul Freeburn. Picture: Getty Images

Police allege Mr Slater sent hundreds of messages to the woman where he called her a “c**”, “escort”, “liar” and “sl*t” several times and threatened to take his own life.

It is further alleged Mr Slater accessed the woman’s CCTV camera on the front porch of her house on March 17, turning it around to face into her home.

The woman was allegedly alerted through an app on her phone while she was speaking to officers at Noosa Police Station.

Mr Slater is further alleged to have smashed a window to gain access to the woman’s home and assaulted her by grabbing her arm.

It is alleged he also choked her on two different occasions.

Mr Slater (pictured) is alleged to have bombarded a woman with hundreds of abusive texts during his alleged tirade. Picture: NewsWire / James Gourley

Bail was ultimately refused by Supreme Court Justice Paul Freeburn, who noted Mr Slater had a history of domestic violence.

“The offences alleged are supported by some evidence, and are sustained and persistence,” he said.

“The risk of further or continued offending cannot be ignored.”

Justice Freeburn said Mr Slater had a long history of mental health conditions and had been diagnosed with ADHD, major depressive disorder, insomnia, alcohol use disorder and borderline personality disorder.

The court was told Mr Slater had a criminal history for offences of obstructing police, common assault and stalking, among others

Mr Slater had not been “constrained” by prior protection orders imposed by courts, Justice Freeburn said.

“It is difficult to be confident or have a modest degree of confidence he will comply with any bail conditions … even from Sydney,” he said.

Mr Slater will return to court in September.

Originally published as Former cricket great Michael Jonathon Slater proposes move to NSW rehab during bail application