Michael Slater: Test cricketer convicted of domestic violence charges, fails mental health bid

Troubled ex-test cricket star Michael Slater failed in a bid to have domestic violence charges dropped on mental health grounds. See what happened in a Sydney court.

Former cricketer Michael Slater has been convicted of domestic violence after failing to have the charges dropped on mental health grounds.

The troubled ex-sports star and TV commentator who pleaded guilty to assaulting an ex girlfriend and a patient at Northern Beaches Hospital, has recently been treated for bipolar disorder, Manly Local Court heard on Wednesday.

Slater, 52, was also convicted of harassing his ex-partner by contacting on electronic devices about 100 times between April and September this year.

His barrister John Agius said in an application to have the charges dismissed that an “underlying mental health impairment” was linked to his alcohol abuse which led to Slater, committing the offences.

former Australian cricketer Michael Slater pictured Leaving Manly Police Station after his arrest on domestic violence charges in October 2021. Picture: Richard Dobson

Mr Agius argued that Slater should be “given one more chance” so he can continue ongoing treatment.

“He clearly wasn’t in control of his behaviour,” Mr Agius argued. “He’s still suffering.”

“He wasn’t being intentionally bad.”

Slater was charged with assaulting an ex-partner at their home in April and intimidating the 35-year-old woman in Manly on April 26.

He was also charged with contravening a domestic violence order and using a carriage service to stalk and intimidate. The court heard he pushed the woman as he went to grab her mobile phone.

Slater was also charged with assaulting and intimidating a patient at Northern Beaches Hospital in July.

Magistrate Robyn Denes dismissed the bid to have the domestic violence charges dropped on mental health grounds.

She did, however, dismiss the assault and intimidate charges for the assault on the hospital patient due to Slater’s mental health problems.

Ms Denes described Slater as a “domestic abuser”.

“Threats of self-harm can be viewed as controlling and intimidating conduct, making the other person responsible for the acts of the offender.

“It is all controlling behaviour”.

Ms Denes also dismissed a bid by Slater’s legal team to not record a conviction.

“I have not seen any indication (in the tendered material) that what he was doing was being a domestic abuser,” she said.

“In light of that, a conviction is required and would be expected by the community.”

Slater, who appeared in court by a video link from an eastern suburbs’ rehabilitation clinic, began sniffling when Ms Denes dismissed the mental health application.

Earlier in the proceedings Mr Agius said Slater had been ostracised by the Australian cricketing community and that he did not attend the funeral of test greats Shane Warne and Andrew Symonds because he felt he would “not be welcomed here”.

Slater also offered to move to Queensland to continue his treatment with a psychiatrist at a Noosa rehab clinic. Mr Agius said it would remove Slater from the “pressures” of living in Sydney and not being near previous girlfriends.

Michael Slater arriving at Waverley Courthouse on April 2021. Picture: NCA NewsWire / James Gourley

Australian cricketer Michael Slater leaving Manly courthouse in October 2021 with his solicitor James McLoughlin. Picture: Richard Dobson

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

Mr Agius told Manly court on Wednesday that Slater was still undergoing rehab at the Sydney Clinic in Bronte.

He said that there was strong evidence of mental impairment and that there had previously no recognition of bipolar disorder and that he had not received any treatment for the disorder around the time of his offending.

Mr Aguius said Slater had used alcohol as a “coping mechanism” for his “mood fluctuations” and the mental health disorder preceded his use of alcohol and that he had started therapy to treat his bipolar disorder.

Ms Denes said there was an “overarching” public interest in convicting those who commit domestic violence and breach AVOs.

Slater was handed a Community Corrections Order to be of good behaviour for two years. He also received a $500 recognisance order. He must also stay from alcohol.