Former Australia batter Slater sentenced for domestic violence

Former Australia test batter Michael Slater sentenced to four years in prison for domestic violence, but will serve over a year.

Former Australia test batter and TV commentator Michael Slater was sentenced to four years' prison on Tuesday (April 22, 2025) after pleading guilty to domestic violence charges, but will walk free after serving more than a year in custody.

Slater's prison sentence was partly suspended, a registrar at the Maroochydore District Court said.

Slater was refused bail by the court just over a year ago after being remanded in police custody and charged with multiple domestic violence offences on Queensland state's Sunshine Coast between December 5, 2023 and April 12, 2024.

The charges included allegations of assault, strangulation, burglary and stalking in relation to multiple incidents against a woman in the Noosa region.

In sentencing on Tuesday, Maroochydore judge Glen Cash told Slater it was obvious he was an alcoholic, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported.

"Your rehabilitation will not be easy — alcoholism is part of your make-up."

Slater played 74 Tests from 1993-2001 and became a successful cricket commentator before being axed by the Seven Network in 2021.