Michael Slater

[Booney]

Former Australian Test cricketer and television host Michael Slater has been sentenced to four years in prison but will walk free after already serving more than a year in custody.

He pleaded guilty to seven charges including domestic violence.

The 55-year-old was facing allegations of assault, strangulation, burglary and stalking in relation to multiple incidents against a woman in the Noosa region from late 2023.

The prosecution told the Maroochydore District Court that alcohol "was a repeating feature with his offending as his behaviour becomes more erratic".

The court heard Slater made threats of self-harm as he warned the victim not to report "harassment" and she "felt extremely fearful and exhausted" by Slater's behaviour.

Last year, the court was told Slater had sent the woman more than 100 text messages a day, including several abusive texts.

In sentencing on Tuesday, Judge Glen Cash told the former cricketer the root of his problems was clear.

"It's obvious Mr Slater that you are an alcoholic," he told the court.

"Your rehabilitation will not be easy — alcoholism is part of your make up."

Slater sat quietly as the defence and prosecution discussed how much more time he should spend behind bars, if any.

Crown prosecutor Alex Stark said Slater ought to be given a prison sentence "in the order" of five years, with parole after three.

Slater's lawyer Greg McGuire told the court the choking incident was not of the most serious nature.

Mr McGuire said his client presented as "calm, lucid and insightful" in court because he had not consumed alcohol during his 375 days in custody.

He argued Slater should be given a three-year sentence with immediate parole.

"He wishes to go back to New South Wales where members of his family reside," Mr McGuire told the court.

"Whether he gets better is entirely up to him — he has been without alcohol for a year."

Judge Cash noted Slater's early guilty plea showed "cooperation and remorse".

Slater was sentenced to four years' imprisonment, partly suspended for time served.

The former batsman played in 74 Test matches and 42 one-day internationals for Australia, making his Test debut in 1993.

[locky801]

Time will tell i guess

Once one of Australias best opening batsman but spiralled out of control during that innings.

Fingers crossed he can stay off the booze and get his life into some sort of decent order.

Bigger challenges ahead for him than facing the West Indies pace attack