Michael Slater: Cricket great wants assault charges dropped on mental health grounds

Former test cricket superstar Michael Slater wants assault and domestic violence charges dropped on mental health grounds as he continues treatment in Sydney rehab clinic.

Former cricketer Michael Slater will seek to have domestic violence and assault charges dropped on mental health grounds, a Sydney court has heard.

Slater, 52, who Manly Local Court was told is in an eastern suburbs’ rehabilitation clinic, is facing charges of assaulting a hospital worker and a woman on the northern beaches.

The former Test opening batsman and commentator, from Manly, did not appear in court when his lawyer made an appearance on his behalf on Tuesday.

Former Australian cricketer Michael Slater is driven away from Manly Police station in October, 2021. Picture: Richard Dobson

He has been charged with assaulting a man at Sydney’s Northern Beaches Hospital on July 18.

Slater pleaded not guilty to two counts of common assault and one count of attempt to intimidate for that alleged attack.

In September this year, he was arrested for allegedly breaching bail.

Police said he was arrested on September 22 after several triple-0 calls were made by a woman at a Freshwater home.

Michael Slater was cricket commentator. Picture: Supplied

After his arrest he was taken to a hospital for mental health assessment.

He was previously charged in May with assault and stalking/intimidating a 35-year-old woman after an alleged incident in Manly on April 26. He has pleaded not guilty to those charges.

Slater is scheduled to return to court to fight the charges, laid in May, on January 17 next year.

Charges relating to a separate domestic violence incident in 2021 were dismissed, on mental health grounds, in Waverley Local Court in April.

His solicitor, James McLoughlin, told the court on Tuesday Slater is still undergoing rehab at the Sydney Clinic in Bronte.

Michael Slater (left) leaving Manly Police Station, with his solicitor James McLoughlin, after being granted bail in October 2021 on domestic violence charges. Picture: Richard Dobson

Mr McLoughlin told the court that Slater would seek to have the assault and domestic violence charges dealt with on mental health grounds.

Slater is on strict conditional bail in Manly Local Court, meaning he must stay away from alcohol and drugs, and be of good behaviour.

Police applied for an apprehended violence order to protect the women.

Magistrate Michelle Goodwin issued a final order on a provisional apprehended violence order, to protect one of the alleged female victim, for two years.

Slater’s application to have the charges dropped based on mental health issues, will be heard on November 9.

The cricketer played 74 Test matches and 42 one-day internationals for Australia between 1993 and 2001 before moving into television commentary.

He was sacked from Channel 7’s commentary team last year after making public comments about then-prime minister Scott Morrison.