Ex-cricket legend Michael Slater charged with breaching AVO

Cricket legend Michael Slater has been charged after allegedly breaching his AVO taken out against him earlier this year after bombarding his ex-partner with calls and texts, a court heard

Former cricketing great Michael Slater allegedly bombarded his former partner with 66 “harassing and highly offensive” text messages and 18 phone calls in a two-and-a-half hour period on Tuesday night, Manly Local Court was told.

Police prosecutor Adrian Walsh opposed bail saying that the alleged victim had “real fears” that Mr Slater would turn up at her home when she was alone.

Mr Slater was granted strict conditional bail.

Michael Slater has been charged after allegedly breaching an AVO taken out against him earlier this year.

As part of the conditions he must check in to the Mental Health Unit at Northern Beaches Hospital, where he has been receiving recent treatment for an alcohol use disorder and other mental health issues.

During the bail application before Magistrate Michelle Goodwin, Sgt Walsh said “it was apparent the complainant in this matter does not want anything to do with the accused”.

Sgt Walsh said if Mr Slater was released on bail there concerns he may endanger the safety of the woman and interfere with witnesses.

“Mr Slater obviously does not want to adhere to the AVO or the bail conditions,” he said.

“The messages were harassing and highly offensive in nature.

“In a two and a half-hour window there were 66 text messages and 18 phone calls made.

“I would submit that the only way to stop the messaging is to stop the accused having access to any electronic devices,” Sgt Walsh said.

Magistrate Goodwin asked Mr Slater’s Manly solicitor, James O’Loughlin: “What is it (Mr Slater) does not understand. The conditions of the AVO are plain.”

Pictured Leaving Manly Police Station in October is former Australian cricketer Michael Slater who has been arrested on domestic violence charges. Picture: Richard Dobson

Mr O’Loughlin said his client was under the influence of alcohol when he made the alleged text messages and phone calls.

“I’m instructed that at the time of the offending Mr Slater’s alcohol use disorder was at play.

“Unfortunately for him, he has relapsed.

“He slipped up once Your Honour (but this) is an opportunity to prove himself.

The court heard that he had been receiving treatment from the head psychiatrist at Northern Beaches Hospital in recent weeks.

Magistrate Goodwin ordered that Mr Slater stay at his sister’s home at Annangrove until a bed becomes available at the hospital.

She also ordered that he not drink alcohol and not use, or be in possession, of a mobile phone or other electronic communication device.

The mater has been adjourned to Waverley Local Court on December 23,

NSW Police began investigating and after arresting Slater charged him with contravening an AVO, using a carriage service to menace/harass/offend and breach of bail.

He was refused police bail ahead of his court appearance.

It comes as Slater lost his job as a commentator at Channel 7 earlier in 2021 after he publicly attacked Scott Morrison on Twitter over not doing enough to get Australians home during the pandemic.

He played 74 tests for Australia between 1993 and 2001.