Former TV presenter Andrew O’Keefe convicted of domestic violence and drug possession

Former television presenter Andrew O’Keefe has been found guilty of domestic violence and drug possession. The former Seven Network host was convicted of kicking, pushing, and spitting at a woman, as well as possessing 1.6 grams of the drug mephedrone, also known as meow meow, at a hotel in Sydney.

Andrew O’Keefe was also charged with resisting arrest, but that charge was dismissed by magistrate Alison Viney. He pleaded not guilty to common assault and assault occasioning actual bodily harm against the woman, but was found guilty by Viney. The incidents took place in September 2021 in a unit in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.

During the hearing, a neighbor testified that they had witnessed O’Keefe acting violently towards the woman, with scratches on her arms and marks across her chest. O’Keefe denied these accusations, claiming that the neighbor misinterpreted the situation. However, the magistrate found the victim’s testimony credible and condemned O’Keefe’s violent and degrading actions.

Magistrate Viney sentenced O’Keefe to an 18-month community corrections order, along with fines for cannabis possession and possessing mephedrone. O’Keefe admitted to breaching an apprehended violence order and a separate charge of cannabis possession but plans to appeal the court’s decision.

O’Keefe’s arrest stemmed from a separate incident in which he tested positive for methamphetamine in January 2023 in Point Piper. He was given a conditional release order for that offense and also received a conditional release order without conviction prior to that.

Outside court, the former television host thanked the magistrate for her decision and denied being an angry man. O’Keefe plans to appeal the conviction and maintains his innocence regarding the charges of domestic violence.

This incident involving Andrew O’Keefe is a serious case of domestic violence, highlighting the importance of addressing and condemning such behavior. The magistrate’s ruling emphasizes the gravity of O’Keefe’s actions, and the conviction marks a significant moment in his personal and professional life.