Former Australian Test cricketer Michael Slater’s bid to be released on bail has been refused, with a court finding an unacceptable risk he would commit domestic violence offences.
The 54-year-old is charged with 25 offences including choking, unlawful stalking, breaking into a dwelling with intent at night and assault.
Slater was refused bail in the Brisbane Supreme Court on Tuesday, following the denial of a magistrates court bail application in April.
The former television commentator has been in custody for about four-and-a-half months.
The charges relate to alleged offences perpetrated on the Sunshine Coast on various dates over about four months, while he was the subject of a protection order.
Slater is accused of choking a woman while shaking her at his house in December 2023.
“The allegation is that it caused restriction to her breathing and bruising to her neck,” Justice Paul Freeburn said.
He is also accused of sending her abusive messages, with police allegedly finding some when conducting a welfare check on Slater in March 2024.
Police responding to a call about a “wild and abusive male” at a Noosa Heads house found Slater who appeared to be heavily intoxicated, the court was told.
The woman had attended the property to return Slater’s dog when a verbal altercation escalated.
The following day he allegedly began to “barrage the woman with abusive and degrading language” before forcefully grabbing her by the arms and jolting her backwards, Justice Freeburn said.
Slater was facing a “serious collection of charges” including two alleged acts of choking.
“It’s not only the seriousness of the offences that is of concern but also the number and persistence of the offending,” Justice Freeburn said.
Slater had a long history of mental health conditions and a number of diagnoses including alcohol use disorder, the court was told.
Defence barrister Gregory McGuire argued for bail conditions that included Slater moving to NSW and going into rehabilitation.
“He was clearly in the grip of a terrible alcohol addiction,” he said.
Prosecutors opposed Slater’s bail application, particularly due to the risk of reoffending.
Justice Freeburn said Slater’s criminal history included domestic violence offences committed against a partner of six weeks in NSW.
He refused bail saying the risk of further offending could not be ignored and Slater had not been constrained by prior court orders.
“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,” Justice Freeburn said.
Slater’s charges include breaching bail and numerous counts of contravening a domestic violence order.
His matters are due to be mentioned in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on September 20.
After making his debut during the 1993 Ashes tour, Slater played 74 Tests for Australia, amassing 5312 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 successful TV commentary career.
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