Former Australia cricketer Michael Slater today avoided jail for domestic violence on mental health grounds, before coming under a fresh police investigation for a similar offence.
Slater was today set to appear in a Sydney court, where he sought to have domestic violence charges dealt with under the Mental Health Act.
The 52-year-old had been arrested by police in October 2021 and charged with harassment and intimidation of his ex-wife following an allegation of domestic violence.
In December, ex-cricket commentator Slater was also charged with breaching a restraining order after he was alleged to have sent dozens of texts and calls to his ex-wife.
However, he did not appear in court today because he was detained by police and paramedics on Tuesday night and taken to a mental health facility in the city.
Slater is alleged to have assaulted a 35-year-old woman in Manly on Tuesday. Police said Slater and the woman were “known to each other”.
In Slater’s absence at court, it was ruled that his original charges should be dealt with on mental health grounds rather than via criminal law.
Slater spent 108 days in a rehab facility from January to March this year in a bid to address his problems.
Slater played 74 Tests and 42 ODIs for Australia between 1993 and 2001, and has since worked as a prominent commentator around the world.
He lost his job with Australian network Channel 7 last year following a furious tirade against Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on social media.
