On Tuesday (20th August), the Supreme Court in Brisbane denied bail to Former Australian cricketer Michael Slater for a second time this year as he faces 25 charges, including domestic violence. Justice Paul Freeburn rejected the bail application noting that there was an “unacceptable risk of further offending”.
Michael Slater, former Australian cricketer turned commentator, is accused of assaulting and choking a woman during violence that continued for several months. He has been in custody since April this year. The Australian cricketer also faces charges of stalking the woman and sometimes sending her more than 100 text messages a day including sending her abusive and degrading messages.
The woman had filed a complaint at a local Police Station when she received a security camera notification on her phone and observed the Australian cricketer breaking into her home. Slater was arrested a short time later and has been in custody for over 130 days. His previous bail plea was denied in April.
On Tuesday (20th August), Slater’s legal team made a desperate attempt to seek bail. His counsel, Barrister Greg McGuire submitted a new proposal before the Brisbane Supreme Court.
He told the court that his client was willing to “leave the state completely” to seek treatment at a residential rehabilitation clinic in NSW. It also included conditions like restrictions on alcohol consumption and no-contact orders with the complainant.
He argued that the case would continue for a long time and Michael Slater faced the danger of spending too much time in custody. The court was informed that a potential criminal trial might not be scheduled until 2025.
Slater’s counsel, McGuire said, “There is a very real danger he (Slater) will have spent too much time in custody by the time the matter is disposed of. The proposed conditions are he go to the Sydney clinic until they are satisfied with his ability to leave. He’s now faced the consequences of his behavior, spending 4.5 months in custody.”
However, Justice Freeburn observed that the risk of further or continued offending cannot be ignored. While rejecting his bail plea, Justice Freeburn remarked, “It is difficult to be confident or even have a modest degree of confidence that Mr. Slater would comply with any bail conditions such as a no contact condition, even from Sydney.”
It is pertinent to note that last time when his bail was rejected in April, Slater reportedly collapsed in the magistrate’s court.
Back then, Justice Paul Freeburn, refused Slater’s bail citing his history of domestic violence and the persistence of the offenses.
Freeburn added that the 54-year-old had a history of mental health conditions and was diagnosed with ADHD, major depressive disorder, insomnia, alcohol use disorder, and borderline personality disorder.
He further said, “The offenses alleged are supported by some evidence and are sustained and persistent. The risk of further or continued offending cannot be ignored.”
Michael Slater’s matter will return to court on 20th September.
During his cricketing career, Michael Slater represented Australia in 74 Test matches between 1993 and 2001. He also played 42 One-Day Internationals before retiring from all cricket in 2004. He later became a television commentator.
