Court hears the chilling contents of hundreds of abusive text messages from disgraced Test cricketer Michael Slater: ‘you’ve put a good guy in jail’
The chilling contents of hundreds of threatening text messages sent by former Test cricketer Michael Slater have been revealed in court
Dozens of allegedly offensive texts the disgraced former Test cricketer sent to a woman in a tirade that ended from early morning until well into the afternoon have come to light in court documents, including a chilling threat that she was “a put a good guy in jail.”
Once one of the most celebrated names in Australian Test cricket in the 1990s, Michael Jonathan Slater’s public and spectacular fall from grace has culminated in the player-turned-commentator being taken back to prison after horrific allegations of his assault and abuse of a woman.
Slater, 54, collapsed in court on Tuesday after being refused bail on multiple charges including stalking, entering with intent by taking a break at night, asphyxiation, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, common assault and trespassing of bail.
His case will be discussed again on May 31.
Slater faces multiple charges, including stalking, entering a dwelling with intent by breaking at night, suffocation, assault occasioning bodily harm, common assault and breaching bail
Slater scored 5312 Test runs in 74 matches as an Aussie opener. He also played 42 one-day internationals for Australia
Some of the hundreds of texts the former television presenter is alleged to have sent to the woman have been detailed in a police objection to a bail application lodged in court papers at the Maroochydore Magistrates Court.
In one alleged incident, Slater sent 28 text messages to the woman from about 9:36 a.m. on March 17 to 4:27 p.m. the same day.
In the dozens of messages he is said to have written: ‘You are cruel’; “Okay, I’m coming to you” and “You’re going to hurt me, aren’t you.”
In another message he would say, “Oh, I see. An escort date. Haha. I just realised.”
Another would have read: ‘I’m done with your games. But you put a good guy in jail.”
The texts follow similar alleged abuse from the former cricket star towards the same woman since December last year, with police claiming he bombarded her with more than 300 offensive texts.
In court documents, police allege Slater texted the woman on Dec. 6 and said, “I just woke up, I fell and think I broke my rib.” Oh, and I need a bottle of vodka.”
Police claim former Test cricketer bombarded woman with more than 300 abusive text messages
The contents of some of those texts were revealed in court, including threats against the woman and himself
It was reportedly followed by another 25 messages and three missed calls.
A further 70 texts are said to have been sent on New Year’s Eve when Slater made humiliating suggestions that she was partying and having sex with random men.
On March 10, Slater allegedly sent more than 100 messages claiming he was going to commit suicide.
During the barrage he is said to have written: ‘You’re a fraud, I’m going to hang my skull on the front of my house. How the fuck does that make your c*** feel. You fucking killed me.”
Details of some of the alleged messages, along with his alleged physical abuse of the woman, were raised in court on Tuesday as police opposed Slater’s bail application.
Slater is accused of physically assaulting the woman after she visited his home on December 6, 2023, over concerns for his welfare.
Police allege he punched her in the face, kicked her and lifted a bottle of vodka while saying, “I’ll fucking kill you.”
He then allegedly strangled her and lifted her off the ground as she fled to the laundry room.
This is despite his legal aid lawyer Michael Robinson claiming the former cricketer would make a “major intervention” by living in a rehabilitation center in Sydney.
Maroochydore Magistrates Court was told Slater had mental health issues that needed to be addressed, with the original plan being for the former cricketer to fly down to seek help the same weekend after his arrest.
His own doctor believed that Slater had a tendency to behave “impulsively, recklessly and uncharacteristically.”
Robinson said his client also disputed the allegations of physical violence.
The court was told Slater had mental health issues that needed to be addressed during the proceedings
After retiring in 2004, Slater moved to commentary for Channels 7 and 9 and other media networks
In their bail appeal, police further allege that Slater tried to force his way into the woman’s home on April 12, repeatedly shouting ‘f*** you’ and ‘where is your daughter’.
His charge of common assault relates to the allegation that Slater grabbed the woman’s arm.
“She is repeatedly begging him to stop, she is undressing, cowering and clearly in fear for her safety,” police prosecutor Brendan Newman told the court on Tuesday.
“We say the strength of the evidence is good.”
It is further alleged that Slater tampered with the woman’s CCTV camera – the entire incident was witnessed by the woman and police after her phone pinged while she was speaking to officers.
In refusing Slater’s bail, Magistrate Raelene Ellis said the medical reports offered did not adequately address the potential risk that he would reoffend if released.
Slater held his head in his hands when he heard the result.
Affectionately called ‘Slats’ by those close to him, Mr Slater opened the batting for the Australian Test team in the 1990s and early 2000s.
He became one of only four players to play in each of the fifteen matches between 1999 and 2001 – the era that gave the Australian team the best run of consecutive wins in the history of Test cricket.
Slater scored 5312 Test runs in 74 matches. He also played 42 one-day internationals for Australia.
After retiring in 2004, he moved into commentary for Channels 7 and 9 and other media networks.