Court hears chilling content of hundreds of abusive text messages from disgraced Test cricketer Michael Slater: ‘you put a good guy in jail’

Chilling contents of hundreds of threatening text messages sent by former cricketer Michael Slater revealed in court

Dozens of alleged abusive texts sent by the disgraced former Test cricketer to a woman in a tirade starting in the morning and lasting until late in the afternoon have been exposed in court documents, including a threat chilling claim that she had “put a good guy in jail”.

Once one of the most famous names in Australian Test cricket throughout the 1990s, Michael Jonathan Slater’s spectacular public fall from grace culminated with the player-turned-commentator returning to prison following horrific allegations of assault and abuse of a woman.

Slater, 54, collapsed in court on Tuesday after being refused bail on several charges including stalking, entering a house with intent to break into the night , choking, assault causing bodily harm, common assault and breach of bail.

His case will be raised again on May 31.

Slater scored 5312 Tests in 74 matches as Australia’s opener. He also played 42 one-day international matches 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 filed in court papers at Maroochydore Magistrates’ Court.

One alleged incident involved Slater sending the woman 28 text messages between approximately 9:36 a.m. on March 17 and 4:27 p.m. the same day.

In dozens of messages, he allegedly wrote: “You are cruel”; ‘Okay, I’m coming to you’ and ‘You’re going to hurt me, aren’t you’.

In another message, he reportedly said: “Oh, I understand. An escort appointment. Haha. I just realize.’

Another reportedly read: “I’m done with your games. But you put a good guy in prison.

The texts follow similar allegations of abuse by the former cricket star towards the same woman since December last year, with police saying he bombarded her with more than 300 abusive texts.

In court documents, police say 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 I need a bottle of vodka.”

Police say former Test cricketer bombarded woman with more than 300 abusive texts

The content of some of these texts was revealed in court, including threats against the woman and himself.

It was reportedly followed by 25 other messages and three missed calls.

A further 70 text messages were allegedly sent on New Year’s Eve when Slater demeaningly suggested she was partying and having sex with random men.

On March 10, Slater allegedly sent more than 100 messages claiming he would kill himself.

During the barrage, he allegedly wrote: “Fuck you, you’re a fraud, I’m going to hang your skull in front of my house.” How do you feel about this fucking c***. You fucking killed me.’

Details of some of the alleged messages, as well as the alleged physical abuse of the woman, were discussed in court as police opposed Slater’s bail application on Tuesday.

Slater is accused of physically assaulting the woman after she went to his home on Dec. 6, 2023, due to concerns for his well-being.

Police say he punched her in the face, kicked her and held up a bottle of vodka, saying, “I’m going to kill you.”

He then allegedly strangled her, lifting her off the floor as she fled to the laundry room.

This is despite his Legal Aid lawyer Michael Robinson saying the former cricketer would undertake a “major intervention” by living in a rehabilitation center in Sydney.

Maroochydore Magistrates Court was told Slater had mental health issues which needed to be addressed, with the original plan calling for the former cricketer to fly out the same weekend after his arrest to seek help. help.

His own doctor had assessed that Slater had a tendency to behave in an “impulsive, reckless and unusual manner”.

Robinson said his client also disputes the allegations of physical abuse.

The court heard Slater suffered from mental health issues which needed to be addressed during the proceedings.

After retiring in 2004, Slater moved to commentary on Channels 7 and 9 and other media networks.

In their objection to bail, police further allege that Slater attempted to break into the woman’s home on April 12, repeatedly shouting “fuck you” and “where’s your girl “.

His simple assault charge is related to the allegation that Slater grabbed the woman’s arm.

“She is begging him to stop several times, she is undressed, cowering, clearly afraid for her safety,” police prosecutor Sergeant Brendan Newman said 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 seen by the woman and police after her phone rang while she was speaking to officers.

In refusing Slater bail, magistrate Raelene Ellis said the medical reports presented did not sufficiently take into account the potential risk of him reoffending if released.

Slater held his head in his hands when he learned the result.

Affectionately known as “Slats” to those close to him, Mr Slater opened the batting for the Australian Test team in the 1990s and early 2000s.

He became one of four players to play in all 15 matches between 1999 and 2001 – the era which gave the Australian team the best winning streak in Test cricket history.

Slater scored 5312 Tests in 74 matches. He also played 42 one-day international matches for Australia.

After retiring in 2004, he turned to commentary on Channels 7 and 9 and other media networks.