The former Australia cricketer has walked free from court after being handed a part-suspended four-year prison sentence for a series of domestic violence charges

Former Australian cricketer Michael Slater has been released from court after admitting to a string of domestic violence offences, including two counts of choking a woman.

Slater confessed to stalking, two counts of common assault, one count of unlawful striking, one count of assault causing bodily harm, burglary and two counts of strangulation.

The ex-batsman, 55, was given a partially suspended four-year jail term but walked out of the Queensland court having already served more than a year of his sentence due to being denied bail last year. Judge Glen Cash stated that the rest of Slater's sentence is suspended for five years, but he'll be back behind bars if he commits another crime.

Upon hearing the plea, Judge Cash addressed Slater, saying: "It's obvious that you are an alcoholic. Your rehabilitation will not be easy, alcoholism is part of your make-up."

Australia's Supreme Court Paul Freeburn had previously heard that Slater suffers from several mental health conditions. Last summer, defence barrister Gregory McGuire argued that his client should be granted bail on the condition he entered rehab. Slater collapsed in court when his bail plea was rejected in April 2024. He had to be assisted by prison officers to regain his footing before being escorted out.

Back in 2022, a Sydney court handed him a two-year community corrections order, a non-custodial sentence in Australia, after he admitted to charges such as common assault and attempted stalking.

The court decision to allow a partially suspended sentence has rocked Australia after seven women were killed in seven days in the country. As their federal election looms closer, the issue of domestic violence has become high on the voting agenda for many women.

One X user posted: “Home free while it's likely Michael Slater's victim will live in fear. Reps make an assumption that, because he hasn't drank alcohol for a year, he's likely not to take it up again. That's bs. The only reason he hasn't had alcohol is because he couldn't.”

Another wrote: “To understand the prevalence of domestic violence, look at the lack of consequences men experience for choking women. Playing cricket isn’t a moral act and alcohol addiction isn’t an excuse for being abusive.”

Slater racked up more than 5,000 runs - including 14 centuries and 21 half-centuries - during his 74-Test career for Australia between 1993 and 2001. He also featured in 41 One-Day Internationals and had a stint with Derbyshire.

After hanging up his boots, he turned to commentary, including a stint with Channel 4. However, Australia's Channel 7 gave him the boot in 2021.