Australia’s legendary cricketer and commentator Michael Slater is currently behind bars. He has been in jail since April on charges of domestic violence and has now tried to get bail. He is accused of attacking and strangling a woman. Slater also allegedly sent several abusive messages to the woman. Slater’s legal team is fighting to get him bail.
The legal team of Michael Slater, who played 74 Tests and 42 ODIs for Australia, told the court in a fresh bail plea on Tuesday that they have booked a residential rehabilitation clinic in NSW (New South Wales), where he is to undergo rehab. Barrister Greg McGuire also said that his client Slater will ‘completely leave the state’ for treatment if he gets bail. He is also ready for an alcohol ban and an order not to contact the complainant.
“There is a very real risk that by the time the matter is resolved he (Slater) will have spent a lot more time in custody. The proposed conditions are that he will have to stay in the Sydney clinic until they are satisfied of his ability to leave. He now has to face the consequences of his behaviour and spend 4.5 months in custody,” McGuire said.
Earlier in April, Slater collapsed in an Australian court after he was denied bail on more than a dozen charges. According to local media reports, 54-year-old Slater was helped to stand up by court staff after a Queensland magistrate rejected his bail plea. Earlier, Supreme Court Justice Paul Freeburn refused bail, saying Slater had a history of domestic violence.
Supreme Court Justice Freeburn also said that Slater has a long history of mental health problems and was diagnosed with ADHD, major depressive disorder, insomnia, alcohol use disorder and borderline personality disorder. That is why Slater has filed a bail plea.