Former star cricketer Michael Slater spent more than 100 days in rehab as he attempts to convince a magistrate to deal with his domestic violence charges under mental health laws.
Mr Slater appeared at Waverley Local Court on Monday as his lawyers argued his charges should be dealt with under the Mental Health Act rather than via criminal law.
The former Test batsman was first charged in October last year after he allegedly used a carriage service to menace, harass or offend his former partner, following an alleged domestic violence incident.
According to court documents, Mr Slater allegedly used a mobile phone to harass his ex partner between March and October last year, as well as allegedly stalking and intimidating the woman at Randwick between October 12 and 13.
In December, he was rearrested at Manly and charged with contravening an apprehended violence order and using a carriage service to menace, harass or intimidate his former partner.
The 52-year-old allegedly sent 66 text messages and made 18 phone calls to his ex-partner over about two-and-a-half hours on the night of December 14, the court previously heard.
Barrister Richard Pontello SC on Tuesday told the court Mr Slater had spent 108 days in a rehabilitation facility following his December arrest.
Mr Pontello said Mr Slater had been plagued by mental health issues, several of which were now in remission.
He argued there was a public interest in him being dealt with under the Mental Health Act so he could continue his treatment.
He also tendered a character reference from Mr Slater’s ex-wife – who is not the alleged victim in the case – which read: “The world is a better place with Mr Slater in it at his healthy best.”
“Most men couldn’t get that assessment from their current partner, let alone their ex,” Mr Pxjmtzywontello said.
Prosecutor Sergeant Lachlan Kirby opposed the application, saying Mr Slater should be dealt with under criminal law because of the seriousness of the alleged offences.
“The (alleged) offending was ongoing, it was controlling,” he said.
He said police would allege it had considerable harm over the victim to the point the victim wanted to make a victim impact statement in regards to the acts.
He also said he was concerned about Mr Slater relapsing in future after any orders had lapsed.
Slater played 74 Tests and 42 One Day Internationals for Australia between 1993 and 2001 before moving into television commentary.
He was axed from Channel 7’s cricket coverage last October after he slammed Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Twitter while he was in the Maldives, when the Indian Premier League was suspended due to the pandemic.
Magistrate Ross Hudson reserved his judgment to consider prosecution and defence submissions.
The matter returns to court on April 27.
