Michael Slater, former Australian player, sentenced in a domestic violence case

Michael Slater, a former Australian Test cricket player and television broadcaster, was given a four-year prison sentence but will be released after more than a year in custody. Domestic violence was one of the seven crimes he entered a guilty plea.

In connection with several occurrences against a woman in the Noosa area starting in late 2023, the 55-year-old was accused of assault, strangling, burglary, and stalking in multiple incidents involving a woman in Queensland's Noosa region.

The right-hander made nine fifties in 42 one-day internationals and amassed over 5,000 runs in 74 Test matches for Australia between 1993 and 2001, including 14 hundreds and 21 half-centuries. He also represented Derbyshire in county cricket in England.

Before being fired by the Seven Network in 2021, Slater became a popular cricket commentator, first on Channel 4 in the UK and later in Australia.

Michael Slater receives a suspended sentence

Judge Glen Cash informed Slater during his sentence hearing at Queensland's Maroochydore District Court on Tuesday that his alcoholism was the primary cause of his issues. According to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, the judge also said that the former cricket player would not have an easy time recovering.

According to the court, Slater threatened self-harm, warned the victim not to report the harassment, and his actions grew more unpredictable with time.

"It's obvious, Mr. Slater, that you are an alcoholic. Your rehabilitation will not be easy - alcoholism is part of your make-up,” he was told by the court.

Slater should be given a prison term "in the order" of five years, with the possibility of release after three, according to prosecutors Alex Stark.

Greg McGuire, Slater's attorney, contended that he ought to get a sentence of three years in jail with quick release. He informed the court that Slater had abstained from drinking for more than a year while inside and had cooperated with the legal system.

McGuire also told the court that Slater wants to go back to his family's home state of New South Wales. Judge Cash observed that Slater showed "cooperation and remorse" by entering a guilty plea early on.

A Sydney court sentenced Slater to a two-year community corrections order in late 2022 after he entered a guilty plea to charges of attempted stalking of a lady and common assault.

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