Inside cricket star’s alleged vile text tirade
Scores of alleged abusive texts sent by a disgraced former Test cricketer to a woman in a tirade starting from the morning and ending well into the afternoon have been exposed in court documents, including one chilling threat she had “put a good guy in jail”.
Once one of the most celebrated names in Australian Test cricket throughout the 1990s, Michael Jonathan Slater’s public and spectacular fall from grace has culminated in the player turned commentator being taken back to jail following horrific allegations of his assault and abuse of a woman.
Mr Slater, 54, collapsed in court on Tuesday after being refused bail on multiple charges, including stalking, enter dwelling with intent by break at night, choking, assault occasioning bodily harm, common assault and breaching bail.
His case will be mentioned again on May 31.
Some of the hundreds of texts the former television presenter is alleged to have sent the woman were detailed in a police objection to a bail affidavit filed in court documents at the Maroochydore Magistrates Court.
One alleged incident involved Mr Slater sending 28 texts from about 9.36am on March 17 to 4.27pm that same day to the woman.
In the dozens of messages he is alleged to have written: “You are cruel”; “Ok I am coming to you” and “You’re going to hurt me aren’t you”.
In one other message, he allegedly states: “Oh I get it. An escort date. Haha. I just realised.”
Another allegedly read: “I’m done with your games. But you’ve put a good guy in Jail.”
The texts follow similar alleged streams of abuse from the former cricket star towards the same woman since December last year, with police claiming he bombarded her with more than 300 abusive texts.
In court documents, police allege Mr Slater texted the woman on December 6 and said: “I’ve just woken up, I fell and think I’ve broken my rib, Oh and I need a bottle of vodka.”
It was allegedly followed by 25 more messages and three missed calls.
Another 70 texts were allegedly sent on New Year’s Eve when Mr Slater made degrading suggestions she was out partying and having sex with random men.
On March 10, Mr Slater allegedly sent more than 100 messages and claimed he would kill himself.
During the barrage he allegedly wrote: “Get f**ked you’re a fraud, I’m going to hang my skull at the front of my house. How does that f**king feel you c**t. You f**king killed me.”
Details of some of the alleged messages, along with his alleged physical abuse of the woman, were raised in court as police opposed Mr Slater’s bail application on Tuesday.
Mr Slater is accused of physically assaulting the woman after she attended his home on December 6, 2023 over concerns for his welfare.
Police allege he struck her across the face, kicked her and raised a bottle of vodka while saying: “I’ll f**king kill you.”
He is then alleged to have choked her, lifting her off the ground as she fled to the laundry room.
This is despite his Legal Aid lawyer Michael Robinson stating the former cricketer would be undertaking a “major intervention” by living in a rehabilitation centre in Sydney
Maroochydore Magistrates Court was told Mr Slater had mental health issues that needed to be addressed, with the original plan for the former cricketer to fly down the same weekend of his arrest to seek help.
His own doctor had opined that Mr Slater had the tendency to behave in an “impulsive, reckless and uncharacteristic manner”.
Mr Robinson said his client also disputed allegations of physical violence.
In their objection to bail, police further allege Mr Slater attempted to smash his way into the woman’s home on April 12, repeatedly screaming “f**k you” and “where’s your daughter”.
His charge of common assault relates to the allegation Mr Slater grabbed the woman’s arm.
“She’s pleading with him to stop repeatedly, she’s in a state of undress, cowering, clearly scared for her safety,” police prosecutor Sergeant Brendan Newman told the court on Tuesday.
“We say the strength of the evidence is good.”
It’s further alleged Mr Slater tampered with the woman’s CCTV camera – the entire incident seen by the woman and police after her phone pinged while she was speaking to officers.
In refusing Mr Slater’s bail, magistrate Raelene Ellis said the medical reports tendered did not sufficiently address any potential risk he would reoffend if released.
Mr Slater held his head in his hands when he learnt the result.
Affectionately known as “Slats” by those close to him, Mr Slater opened the batting for the Australian Test team through the 1990s and early 2000s.
He became one of only four players to have played in each of the 15 matches between 1999 and 2001 – the era that delivered the Australian team the best run of consecutive victories in Test cricket history.
Mr Slater scored 5312 Test runs in 74 matches. He also played 42 one-day internationals for Australia.
After retiring in 2004, he moved to commentary with channels 7 and 9 and other media networks.
Don't go it alone. Please reach out for help.
Lifeline: 13 11 14 or lifeline.org.au
Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 or beyondblue.org.au
Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800 or kidshelpline.com.au
Headspace: 1800 650 890 or headspace.org.au
13YARN: Speak to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander crisis supporter on 13 92 76 or visit 13yarn.org.au
Are you anxious? Take the Beyond Blue quiz to see how you’re tracking and whether you could benefit from support
If you or someone you know is experiencing sexual abuse or family violence contact:
National Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence Counselling Service 24-hour helpline 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732
24-hour Emergency Accommodation helpline on 1800 800 588
Safe At Home helpline on 1800 633 937
National Violence and Abuse Trauma Counselling and Recovery Service on 1800 FULLSTOP (1800 385 578). They also have a specific line for the LGBTIQA+ community called the Rainbow Sexual, Domestic and Family Violence Helpline on 1800 497 212
SHE (free and confidential counselling and support) on 6278 9090
Sexual Assault Support Services on 6231 1811, or after hours 6231 1817
Family Violence Crisis and Support Service on 1800 608 122
Bravehearts – Sexual Assault Support for Children on 1800 BRAVE 1
Kids Helpline is for young people aged 5 to 25 on 1800 551 800
Don't go it alone. Please reach out for help by contacting Lifeline on 13 11 14
Men who have anger, relationship or parenting issues, should contact the Men's Referral Service on 1300 766 491 or the Don’t Become That Man helpline on 1300 243 413