What Andrew O’Keefe told police when they allegedly found a crack pipe in his pocket
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Disgraced former TV personality Andrew O’Keefe told a police officer who allegedly found a crack pipe in his jacket pocket that the item of clothing was “worn by someone else”, a court has been told.
An exhausted and hoarse O’Keefe sat quietly in the dock as his lawyer, Sharon Ramsden, applied for his bail at Waverley Crown Court on Monday morning.
Police say the former Deal or No Deal presenter tested positive for drugs after he was arrested shortly before noon on Sunday in Sydney’s affluent Bellevue Hill.
Officers further allege the 52-year-old threatened a man at an address on Longworth Ave in the adjacent Point Piper neighbourhood ‘a short time’ before the arrest.
O’Keefe, who appeared in court on Monday, is said to have confronted the man “possibly out of jealousy” after the relationship with his former partner had “rekindled”.
“It is certainly not the case that someone just stands at the door and knocks on the door to say hello. There is aggression,” the public prosecutor said in court.
The prosecutor said O’Keefe knew he was “not supposed to be on the premises” and admitted to police that he had “put one foot in the door.”
He claimed that O’Keefe had acted under the influence of drugs to police. When asked about the crack pipe in his pocket, he said the jacket had been “worn by someone else” and was not his.
Andrew O’Keefe told a police officer who allegedly found a crack pipe in his jacket pocket that the item of clothing was “worn by someone else”, a court has been told.
Officers further allege the 52-year-old threatened a man at an address on Longworth Ave in the adjacent Point Piper neighbourhood ‘a short time’ before the arrest.
Mrs Ramsden told the court the ‘allegations were denied’ but she did admit that O’Keefe had admitted to police he was worried about a break-in.
“He can go to the property but he can’t go in. He was having lunch with her (the ex-partner) later that day. He came to the property and saw the door ajar,” she said.
‘She (the ex-partner) is not at home and there is no threat to her. She has also not made a statement, which is important for the assessment of the criminal case.’
Mrs Ramsden said O’Keefe visited the house and after an initial conversation returned, at which point the man told him: ‘If you don’t leave, things are going to go very badly for you.’
She told the court the former TV presenter took the statement as a threat and that there was “no evidence” to support claims he had argued with anyone on the phone.
In support of the bail application, Ms Ramsden said O’Keefe would provide urine samples daily for drugs and his sister would provide the court with a $1,000 surety.
The prosecutor opposed O’Keefe’s release, arguing he was a “danger to the community” because of his alleged drug-impaired driving while suspended.
O’Keefe was eventually granted bail despite the magistrate telling the 52-year-old there were “many aspects of the police incidents which were concerning”.
“I am really concerned that you have been in a place you shouldn’t have been and that drugs are still a part of your life, but I am willing to give you the opportunity to continue your treatment,” she said.
Sunday’s arrest comes after O’Keefe was issued a ticket for driving while suspended on June 20 after a vehicle pulled over in Bellevue Hill.
In January, he was also convicted of domestic violence, dating back to September 2021, when he kicked and spat at a woman.
He was found guilty of common assault, assault occasioning bodily harm, two charges of possession of a prohibited drug and breaching an imposed violence order.
However, he avoided a prison sentence and was given a 12-month community service order and three 18-month community service orders for domestic violence.