The chilling contents of hundreds of threatening text messages sent by former Test cricketer Michael Slater have been revealed in court.
Dozens of alleged abusive texts sent by the disgraced former cricketer to a woman in a tirade that began in the morning and ended well into the afternoon have been exposed in court documents, including a chilling threat that he had “jailed a good guy”.
The public and spectacular fall from grace of Michael Jonathan Slater, once one of the most famous names in Australian Test cricket throughout the 1990s, culminated in the player-turned-commentator’s return to jail after horrific accusations of assault and abuse of a woman.
Slater, 54, collapsed in court Tuesday after being denied bail on multiple charges including stalking, knowingly entering a house during a night’s rest, suffocation, assault causing bodily harm, battery common and violation of bail.
His case will be mentioned again on May 31.
Slater faces multiple charges, including stalking, entering a dwelling with intent during a night’s rest, suffocation, assault occasioning bodily harm, common assault and breaching bail.
Slater scored 5312 Test runs in 74 matches as an Australian opener. He also played 42 one-day internationals for Australia.
Some of the hundreds of text messages the former TV presenter allegedly sent to the woman were detailed in a police objection to a bail affidavit lodged in court papers at Maroochydore Magistrates Court.
One alleged incident involved Slater sending 28 text messages to the woman from approximately 9:36 a.m. on March 17 to 4:27 p.m. that same day.
In the dozens of messages he allegedly wrote: “You are cruel”; “Ok, I’m going to come to you” and “You’re going to hurt me, aren’t you?”
In another message, he allegedly states: ‘Oh, I get it. A date with a companion. Ha ha. I just realized.’
Another allegedly said: ‘I’m done with your games.’ But you put a good guy in jail.
The text messages follow alleged similar streams of abuse by the former cricket star towards the same woman since December last year, with police claiming he bombarded her with more than 300 abusive text messages.
In court documents, police allege that Slater texted the woman on Dec. 6 and told her, “I just woke up, I fell and I think I broke a rib. Oh, and I need a bottle of vodka.” .
Police claim former Test cricketer bombarded woman with more than 300 abusive text messages
The content of some of these texts has been revealed in court, including threats against the woman and against himself.
25 more messages and three missed calls allegedly followed.
Another 70 text messages were allegedly sent on New Year’s Eve when Slater made degrading suggestions that she was partying and having sex with random men.
On March 10, Slater allegedly sent more than 100 messages and claimed he was going to commit suicide.
During the bombing he allegedly wrote: “Fuck you, you’re a fraud, I’m going to hang my skull in front of my house.” How the fuck do you feel? You killed me.
Details of some of the alleged messages, along with the woman’s alleged physical abuse, were raised in court when police opposed Slater’s bail application on Tuesday.
Slater is accused of physically assaulting the woman after she attended his home on December 6, 2023 out of concern for her well-being.
Police allege he punched her in the face, kicked her and raised a bottle of vodka while saying: “I’ll kill you.”
He then allegedly strangled her, lifting her off the ground as she fled toward the laundry room.
This despite his Legal Aid lawyer Michael Robinson claiming the former cricketer would undertake a “major intervention” by living in a rehabilitation center in Sydney.
Maroochydore Magistrates Court was told that Slater had mental health issues that needed to be addressed, and the original plan was for the former cricketer to fly there on the same weekend as his arrest to seek help.
His own doctor had opined that Slater had a tendency to behave in an “impulsive, reckless and uncharacteristic manner.”
Robinson said his client also disputed allegations of physical violence.
The court was told Slater had mental health issues which needed to be addressed during the proceedings.
After retiring in 2004, Slater went on to commentate on Channels 7 and 9 and other media networks.
In their objection to bail, police further allege that Slater attempted to force his way into the woman’s home on April 12, repeatedly shouting “fuck you” and “where’s your daughter.”
His common assault charge relates to the allegation that Slater grabbed the woman’s arm.
“She is repeatedly pleading with him to stop, she is naked, 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 is further alleged that Slater tampered with the woman’s CCTV camera; The entire incident was seen by the woman and the police after he rang her phone while she was talking to the officers.
Refusing bail for Slater, Magistrate Raelene Ellis said medical reports submitted did not sufficiently address the potential risk of him reoffending if released.
Slater put his hands on his head when he heard the result.
Affectionately known as ‘Slats’ to those close to him, Slater opened the batting for the Australian Test team during the 1990s and early 2000s.
He became one of four players to play in each of the 15 matches between 1999 and 2001, the era that gave the Australian team the best consecutive winning streak in the history of Test cricket.
Slater scored 5,312 Tests in 74 matches. He also played 42 one-day internationals for Australia.
After retiring in 2004, he went on to commentate on Channels 7 and 9 and other media networks.