Andrew O’Keefe slammed into a television news cameraman before approaching court to face assault charges.
Tuesday morning, a stony-faced 51-year-old OKeefe collided with a Channel Nine camera operator outside the Downing Centre local court, where he faces charges of common assault, contravening an AVO, resisting a police officer, and assault resulting in actual bodily harm related to an incident in 2021.
After the crash, he O’Keefe stated, “Please excuse me.”
Afterward, he turns around and adds, “Watch it.”
The cameraman was not reported to be injured.
The former TV host, who faced a second day of hearings, was well-groomed in a beige linen suit and a striped tie, although he had neglected to fasten his fly.
The court was closed for the morning session so that the complainant may present evidence.
The court was shown film of O’Keefe reportedly spitting on, kicking, and hitting a woman on September 8, 2021.
“I see that you have something on your arm; did he do that?” Elisa Major, an officer on duty, asked the woman.
In the film, the woman responds, “Yes,” through tears.
Nicole Taylor, who lived adjacent to the property in Sydney’s eastern suburbs where the alleged incident occurred, told the court that she heard O’Keefe singing and then “aggressive and angry yelling” on the night in question.
Ms. Taylor later stated that the woman was trembling like a leaf.
She had scratches up her arm and across her chest, and she was limping, Ms. Taylor testified.
Ms. Taylor testified that the woman told her that O’Keefe had kicked her and spat in her face.
She added that O’Keefe seemed upset.
Ms. Taylor stated, “He was both flustered and angry.”
Two video of O’Keefe were also aired in court, including one where he informs cops at St. Vincent’s Hospital that the woman “has a history of making outrageous claims.”
The second video, which was shown to Magistrate Alison Viney on Monday, depicted O’Keefe lying on the front steps of his apartment building while complaining of chest trouble.
In the footage, O’Keefe can be heard sighing and complaining about chest pain.
“I’m uncertain (what it is)… I’ve never experienced it before,’ he informed the cops.
The complainant was captured on video crying while holding her wrist, which was covered in scratches.
In the video, when officers approached O’Keefe to ask inquiries, he can be seen shutting them down.
“I will not comment without an attorney present… they are making false accusations against me,” he told Constable Elissa Major.
Richard Pontello SC, O’Keefe’s defense attorney, questioned Constable Major about a conversation in which the former television star said the complainant allegedly “inflicted the abrasion on herself.”
Mr. Pontello inquired, “Did he say, “I’m certain it was unintended and a thoughtless or absent-minded physical reaction to stress”?”
Officer Major said, “Those words were not spoken.”
He laughed and shook his head.
Monday afternoon, O’Keefe told the reporters that he was’relieved’ after a number of charges related to another case and complainant were dropped.
“I’m not surprised but relieved that the charges have been dropped,” he said while flashing the peace sign, often known as the “v for victory” signal, to the cameras.
Monday, police prosecutor Michael Cleaver dropped six charges related to the incident, including two counts of willfully choking a person without consent, three counts of simple assault, and one case of assault resulting in serious bodily injury.
O’Keefe pleaded guilty to one count of violating a restraining order against imminent violence.
After being charged with the offenses, he spent nearly five months in remand before being granted tight bail by the NSW Supreme Court in May 2022 to reside at a long-term residential rehabilitation facility in Port Stephens.
Since the assault claims came to light, the former Channel 7 personality has been subjected to a different type of scrutiny.
O’Keefe appeared on numerous programs for the broadcaster, including Deal or No Deal and Weekend Sunrise.
He was a member of the National Council for the Prevention of Violence Against Women and the founder of the White Ribbon Australia organization.
He was made a member of the Order of Australia in 2017 for his charitable activities and television achievements.
Following the day’s hearing, O’Keefe responded briefly to media queries.
He stated, “Up until this point, everything has been excellent.”
“However, I will make a statement when everything is over, thank you.”
The hearing by Magistrate Viney continues.
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