Former Australian Test cricketer and cricket commentator Michael Slater has been denied bail for the second time this year, remaining in custody over a series of domestic violence charges. Slater, aged 54, faces 25 serious charges, including assault, strangulation, and unlawful stalking, related to a series of alleged incidents spanning several months, from December 2023 to April 2024.
According to The Independent, Slater’s alleged conduct involves not only physical violence but also a range of controlling and emotionally abusive behavior, highlighting the multifaceted nature of domestic abuse. The Brisbane Supreme Court’s decision to refuse bail underscores the severity and persistence of the allegations against Slater.
Pattern of Control and Intimidation
The charges against Slater paint a disturbing picture of a pattern of control and intimidation. Police allege that Slater subjected the woman to a sustained campaign of abuse. Among the most alarming allegations is that Slater assaulted the woman, including an incident where he is accused of choking her, causing bruising to her neck and restricting her breathing.
The Daily Mail reports that, beyond the physical abuse, Slater is accused of engaging in a sustained campaign of emotional torment. He allegedly bombarded the woman with hundreds of abusive and degrading messages, sometimes sending over 100 texts in a single day. These messages reportedly included derogatory language, with Slater calling the woman a “c**,” “escort,” “liar,” and “sl*t” repeatedly. This verbal abuse was coupled with threats of self-harm, a tactic often used in domestic abuse situations as a form of emotional blackmail to manipulate and control the victim.
Invasion of Privacy and Stalking Behavior
In addition to the verbal and physical abuse, Slater allegedly engaged in stalking and invasive surveillance. Police allege that in March 2024, Slater accessed the woman’s home security system, manipulating a CCTV camera on her front porch to face into her home. This act of turning the camera inward not only violated the woman’s privacy but also served as a method of intimidation, a way for Slater to assert control even when not physically present.
This alleged invasion of privacy is a key aspect of the broader pattern of stalking behavior attributed to Slater. Unlawful stalking, as defined in legal terms, often involves a combination of persistent and unwanted attention that causes the victim to feel harassed, intimidated, or fearful. Slater’s stalking behavior contributed to the judge’s concerns about the risk of further offending if he were released on bail.
A History of Abuse and Mental Health Struggles
Slater’s legal troubles are not new. The former cricketer has faced multiple domestic violence charges in recent years, highlighting an ongoing pattern of violent and abusive behavior. In late 2022, he was sentenced to a two-year community corrections order by a Sydney court after pleading guilty to charges including common assault. Despite this sentence, Slater’s alleged behavior continued, culminating in the current charges.
The court acknowledged Slater’s long history of mental health issues, including diagnoses of ADHD, major depressive disorder, insomnia, alcohol use disorder, and borderline personality disorder (BPD). A core characteristic of BPD is an intense fear of abandonment, which can lead individuals to engage in desperate or manipulative behaviors to avoid being left alone. These behaviors might include controlling actions, emotional manipulation, uncontrolled rage, and stalking.
Slater’s defense argued that his actions were closely linked to his alcohol use disorder and that he would benefit from being released to attend a rehabilitation facility in Sydney. However, Justice Paul Freeburn rejected this argument, emphasizing the severity and persistence of the alleged offenses. The court expressed concerns that Slater’s release posed an unacceptable risk to the victim, particularly given the prolonged nature of the abuse.
Ongoing Legal Proceedings
The seriousness of the charges against Slater, combined with his history of similar offenses, led the Brisbane Supreme Court to refuse his bail application. This decision follows an earlier denial of bail in April, during which Slater reportedly collapsed in court and had to be assisted by prison officers.
The charges against Slater could result in significant legal consequences for the former cricketer, whose career as a sportsman and commentator has already been marred by controversy.
Featured image: Michael Slater. Source: YouTube Screenshot / 9 News Australia.
