Former cricketer Michael Slater sentenced to four years’ prison for DV offences but immediately walks free

The former Australian Test cricketer Michael Slater has been sentenced to prison for domestic violence offences but will immediately be released from custody on a suspended sentence.

Slater, 55, was sentenced in Maroochydore district court on Tuesday after pleading guilty to seven charges including two counts of choking a woman.

The charges, which also included stalking, assault and burglary, related to offences committed on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast in December 2023.

The former Australian cricket star and TV host also sent a woman abusive messages, with police finding some when conducting a welfare check on Slater in March 2024.

Slater has spent more than 12 months in custody and made multiple failed attempts to secure bail.

Judge Glen Cash on Tuesday sentenced Slater to four years’ imprisonment to be partially suspended after time served.

The remainder of Slater’s sentence is suspended for five years, during which he will risk being returned to custody if he commits another serious offence.

The supreme court justice Paul Freeburn last August heard Slater had a long history of mental health conditions and a number of diagnoses including alcohol use disorder.

The defence barrister Gregory McGuire at the time argued for bail conditions that included Slater moving to New South Wales and going into rehabilitation.

“He was clearly in the grip of a terrible alcohol addiction,” McGuire previously said.

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After making his debut during the 1993 Ashes tour, Slater played 74 Tests for Australia, amassing 5,312 runs at an average of 42.83 with 14 tons. He also played 42 one-day internationals.

Slater retired from cricket in 2004, embarking on a television commentary career.

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