Ex-cricketer Slater sentenced over domestic violence charges

Former Australia cricketer Michael Slater has been handed a partly suspended four-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to domestic violence charges.

However, the 55-year-old will walk free - having already served more than a year in custody after being refused bail in 2024.

Slater, who played 74 Tests for Australia between 1993 and 2001, pleaded guilty to two counts of common assault, one of unlawful striking, one of assault occasioning bodily harm, burglary and two counts of strangulation.

Judge Glen Cash told Slater "alcoholism is part of your make-up" and that his rehabilitation will "not be easy".

"It's obvious that you are an alcoholic," Judge Cash said.

Slater collapsed and had to be helped to his feet by prison officers after being denied bail by a Queensland court in April 2024.

He has remained in custody since, spending just over a year behind bars.

Slater amassed more than 5,000 runs - including 14 hundreds and 21 half-centuries - during an eight-year Test career with Australia.

He moved into a career as a commentator following his retirement in 2004, first with Channel 4 in the UK and then in Australia with the Seven Network - who dropped him in 2021.

In 2022, Slater was sentenced to a two-year community corrections order by a Sydney court after pleading guilty to charges including common assault and attempted stalking of a woman.