Cricketer Michael Slater is rushed to hospital by police and paramedics for mental health reasons as his domestic violence charges are dismissed
- Ex-Test star has charges including intimidating his ex-girlfriend quashed
- Slater entered a mental health facility on Tuesday after police called
- It was recently revealed he had spent 108 days in rehab after December arrest
A court has dismissed charges against former Test cricketer Michael Slater as he’s hospitalised for mental health reasons.
Slater, 52, was charged last year with stalking or intimidating his partner and using a carriage service to menace or harass her.
A police prosecutor told Waverley Local Court on Wednesday that Slater was ‘detained’ by police and ambulance last night.
Cricketer Michael Slater, above, at Manly police station last October
Magistrate Ross Hudson said that the cricketer’s health appeared to have somewhat ‘unravelled’.
He said a breach of an apprehended violence order – where he sent messages to his ex-partner – appeared to be a ‘cry for help’.
The charges were quashed.
The court heard from police prosecutor Lachlan Kirby who said Slater was ‘detained by police and paramedics’ on Tuesday night before being transported to a mental health facility on Sydney’s northern beaches.
It had been alleged Slater used his mobile phone between March and October last year ‘to menace or harass’ his ex-partner, and was also charged with intimidation.
It was alleged the intimidation occurred between October 12 and 13 in Randwick, in Sydney’s east.
Slater (right) during his time as part of the Channel Seven cricket commentary team with Mel McLoughlin (left) and Ricky Ponting (centre)
He was then charged with contravening the AVO in December after he allegedly called his ex Melanie Livesey 18 times and sent 66 texts within two-and-a-half hours.
Last week Slater’s lawyers requested his charges be dealt with under the Mental Health Act.
It was also revealed the former Test batsman had spent 108 days in rehab after his arrest in December, with barrister Richard Pontello SC arguing his charges be dealt with under the Mental Health Act so he could continue treatment.
A character reference from Slater’s ex-wife – who was not the victim in relation to the current charges – was also given which read: ‘The world is a better place with Mr Slater in it at his healthy best’.
Michael Slater pictured with his ex-wife Jo in 2010. The ex-cricketer’s charges for harassing and intimidating his ex-girlfriend were dropped on Wednesday
At the time of his arrest in October, Slater’s manager Sean Anderson said the once-dynamic opening batsman had been suffering from from mental health issues for a while.
‘Michael has been privately battling health and mental issues for some time now,’ Mr Anderson said in a statement.
‘He has today admitted himself into care in order to continue his treatment.’
Slater was last seen on the cricket coverage of the Seven Network, joining it in 2018 after departing from Channel Nine, but subsequently left under a cloud.
The opening batsman played in 74 Tests for Australia scoring 5312 runs at an average of 42.83 after making his debut during the 1993 Ashes tour of England.
He also played 42 one-day internationals scoring just under 1000 runs before retiring from major cricket in 2004.
Advertisement