Former Australian Test cricketer and television presenter Michael Slater has been photographed working as a labourer on a construction site, marking a dramatic fall from grace following his imprisonment for a series of serious domestic violence crimes.
A Stark New Reality
News Corp reported that Slater, 55, was seen in high-visibility workwear on Sydney's northern beaches, a stark contrast to the cricket whites and sharp suits he wore during his high-profile career. This sighting comes just seven months after his release from a Queensland prison and days after Cricket NSW withdrew his life membership and hall of fame status.
The former Channel Nine star, who once commentated on cricket and appeared on programs like The Big Sports Breakfast, was sentenced to four years in jail in April this year. He pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including assault occasioning bodily harm, burglary, and two counts of strangulation related to incidents in Noosa spanning from December 2023 to March 2024.
Judge Glen Cash, while sentencing, immediately released Slater due to time already served, but suspended the remainder of the sentence for five years. The judge explicitly identified Slater as an alcoholic and urged him to seek rehabilitation.
Details of the Violent Offences
Court documents revealed a harrowing campaign of abuse against a woman. On December 10, 2023, after drinking, Slater falsely accused her of infidelity, seized her phone, kicked her thigh, and subjected her to a torrent of abuse. He then wrapped his hands around her throat and shook her violently, leaving visible bruising, before striking her face.
The violence escalated on Boxing Day of the same year. Slater grabbed a vodka bottle, threatened 'I'll f***ing kill you,' forced his way into a laundry where she had sought refuge, slammed her against a washing machine, and choked her until she pleaded that she could not breathe.
Throughout their relationship, Slater sent the victim hundreds of degrading and threatening messages. In one, he wrote 'You f***ing killed me,' and in another threatened to hang his skull at the front of his house. He routinely insulted her and blamed her for his own behaviour.
Life After Prison
Slater, who spent over a year in custody after being refused bail in 2024, now risks returning to jail if he commits another serious offence within the next five years. Despite the judge's comments on his alcoholism, it was reported that Slater allegedly started a Tinder profile just weeks after his release. The profile, featuring a champagne emoji, stated he was looking for a short-term relationship and enjoyed social drinking on weekends.
His current employment on a construction site underscores a profound shift in circumstances for the man who once opened the batting for Australia and enjoyed a successful media career. His case serves as a sobering reminder of the devastating consequences of domestic violence and the long road to rehabilitation.
