Andrew O’Keefe admits meth driving shame

Controversial television personality Andrew O'Keefe has escaped conviction after pleading guilty to driving with methamphetamine in his system through Sydney's most exclusive suburb.

The former Deal or No Deal presenter pleaded guilty at Downing Center Local Court on Tuesday to driving with the illegal drug in his system and breaching his bail conditions.

Police allege the 51-year-old was driving his gray Mercedes C200 sedan through Point Piper on January 20 when he was stopped by police.

A roadside breath test reportedly returned a positive result for methamphetamine or 'ice' before Mr O'Keefe was taken to Waverley police station for a secondary test.

Former Deal or No Deal presenter Andrew O'Keefe pleaded guilty to driving with meth in his system and breaching bail at Downing Center Local Court on Tuesday

Police allege the 51-year-old was driving his gray Mercedes C200 sedan through Point Piper on January 20 when he was stopped by police and tested positive on a drug test

During sentencing, Magistrate Miranda Moody said O'Keefe had since returned negative screens for illegal drugs and was being treated by a psychiatrist and psychologist.

“To his credit he has clearly had some problems with illicit drug use and I have been provided with material regarding his drug use or lack thereof,” Ms Moody told the court.

'Nothing has been seen for a while. I also received a report from a psychologist and a psychiatrist. He is undergoing treatment.

“Given the enormous amount of work Mr. O'Keefe is doing in relation to his drug and health problems, I am prepared to impose no conviction.”

Ms Moody instead sentenced Mr O'Keefe to a 12-month community release order. He was given a maximum fine of $2,200 and a six-month driving disqualification.

Outside court, Mr O'Keefe told media he was “very satisfied” with the “sensible outcome” but said he had pleaded guilty to avoid possible delays in court.

“Two positives and two negatives (tests)… those are the requirements of the law, we had to plead guilty anyway or we might be delayed another six months,” he said.

Documents tendered to the court show Mr O'Keefe remains unemployed after leaving the Connect Global Residential Drug and Alcohol Center in October 2022.

Mr O'Keefe was sentenced to a 12-month community release order

The documents reveal further insights into Mr O'Keefe's life after rehabilitation, including $1000 a month he paid in rent for his home on South Head Rd in Vaucluse in Sydney's east.

He earns about $26,000 a month in insurance payments, the documents say, and owes an amount of money to the Australian Taxation Office that he “could not legally disclose to police”.

At the time of the incident, Mr O'Keefe was parked in a cul-de-sac on Wunulla Rd, but drove away as police approached. He was the only occupant in the car at the time.

A second oral fluid sample provided at Waverley Police Station tested negative but was later deemed positive following analysis by the NSW Forensic and Analytical Science Service.

Asked about any drug use, Mr O'Keefe told police: 'I don't use them.' He was later arrested at his home in Vaucluse on April 4 following oral fluid analysis.

During sentencing, Ms Moody said Mr O'Keefe's driving 'didn't help him', but told the court he had no similar offenses to his name.

Mr O'Keefe previously pleaded not guilty to the charges, admitting outside court that he 'thought certain things that could affect the credibility of a saliva test'.

Mr O'Keefe – the nephew of rock pioneer Johnny O'Keefe – began his career as an intellectual property lawyer at law firm Allens Arthur Robinson before making a career switch to TV presenting at Channel Seven in 2003.

He co-hosted Weekend Sunrise for many years and hosted the game show The Chase before his media career was derailed by a succession of drug and domestic violence allegations.