The controversy surrounding beleaguered television personality, Andrew O’Keefe, intensified as he took the witness stand, his emotions bare, vehemently contending that the injuries allegedly inflicted upon a woman by him were rather self-inflicted. 52-year old O’Keefe is currently battling charges in connection with a disagreement that occurred at an apartment in the eastern suburbs of Sydney in September 2021.
Testifying at the Downing Centre Local Court in Sydney, O’Keefe shared that he had been residing at the woman’s residence as he was a close contact of an individual infected with Covid. An altercation between him and the woman evolved, during which she accused him of using an offensive term against her child. O’Keefe recounted her demanding him to leave and warning him of police involvement.
O’Keefe narrated the woman seizing him with a firm ‘monkey-style grip’ and despite her weight, he walked on. At the culmination of the incident, he observed her agitated demeanor, her hand gripped around her wrist, and her nails inadvertently causing marks on her skin.
O’Keefe vociferously denied that he had ever used such a derogatory term for a child. Casually gathering his possessions, he said the woman persistently followed him to the point where he had to sometimes physically move past her. After retrieving his medication from the bathroom, he alleged that the woman slapped him across his chest.
“I retorted with… ‘if you’re going to call the police, that’s great because you’ve just assaulted me’,” he stated in court.
An obstacle caused them to tumble in the corridor, O’Keefe revealed, resulting in him falling on top of her. He averred that he subsequently gathered the rest of his belongings, ensured the woman was unhurt, bid her and the children goodbye, and exited. He shared with the court, his voice choking up with emotion, that the woman remarked: “I don’t know why I ever let you back into my life.”
Details of the incident were divulged earlier in the year, including a neighbor’s observations of hearing O’Keefe’s singing from the apartment transform into a scuffling sound. According to her, O’Keefe appeared agitated, while the alleged victim was noticeably trying to pacify him. O’Keefe, whilst questioned by his attorney, categorically denied assaulting the woman in any way.
Shocking footage shown in court depicted O’Keefe lying on the stairs of the apartment building, complaining of chest pain. The police subsequently found O’Keefe, who had been unwell that evening, half-an-hour later. When the police stated they were there to see the woman, O’Keefe requested to make a statement, which met with dismissive laughter from the officers.
Captured footage of O’Keefe’s arrest two days post the incident was also presented in court. He had spent approximately five months in custody before being released on bail. O’Keefe is defending himself against charges of common assault, resisting a police officer, possession of a prohibited drug, and assault causing actual bodily harm. However, he pleaded guilty to violating an Apprehended Violence Order (AVO).
Once a celebrated star on Channel 7, O’Keefe now finds himself in a different sort of limelight due to the allegations. In 2017, in recognition of his charity work and television career, O’Keefe was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia. The hearing will continue under Magistrate Alison Viney.
