Andrew O’Keefe: Read magistrate’s damning blast at ‘violent, frightening’ Channel Seven TV star as details emerge of his shocking assault on a woman

A magistrate has described Andrew O’Keefe’s actions towards his victim as ‘frightening and humiliating’ as she convicted him of assaulting his former partner.

However, the troubled former TV presenter avoided jail despite being found guilty of ‘violent’ domestic assault.

The broadcaster was hit with three charges in 2021 over multiple incidents, including assault occasioning actual bodily harm, breaching a domestic violence order and possession of the synthetic stimulant drug mephedrone.

Magistrate Alison Viney on Wednesday condemned O’Keefe’s actions in kicking, spitting, scratching and otherwise assaulting a woman, who cannot be identified for legal reasons.

Ex-presenter Andrew O’Keefe has been placed on community supervision for DV-related offences.

“Your actions were violent and humiliating,” she told Sydney’s Downing Center Local Court, describing O’Keefe’s attack on the woman in September 2021 during an argument.

“You have put (the victim) in a position of fear, not only for herself but for her children in her own home.”

O’Keefe was ordered to serve 18 months under a community corrections order, which carries supervision and reporting requirements for multiple incidents in September 2021.

He was fined $800 for drug offenses.

Ms Viney said O’Keefe’s indifference to the domestic violence order in repeatedly contacting the victim was a concern for the court.

His behavior showed “absolute disregard for what should be an effective tool for protecting victims of domestic violence in our community,” she said.

O’Keefe became irritated and mumbled during parts of the sentence, occasionally shaking his head.

The court heard O’Keefe called the woman a ‘lying dog’ and a ‘c***’ and assaulted her several times, including hitting her with an open hand.

O’Keefe told waiting media on Wednesday that he planned to appeal the conviction

Evidence from a neighbor was a crucial part of substantiating the victim’s statements during the hearing.

They heard the pair fighting one evening in September 2021 and later saw that the victim was suffering from scratches on her upper body.

Numerous photos of the victim’s injuries, including bruises and scratches on her arms and chest, were submitted during the November hearings.

O’Keefe, dressed in a teal suit, became agitated and mumbled during parts of the sentencing, occasionally shaking his head as the magistrate read out her findings.

He denied the woman’s allegations and previously told the court: “None of this happened.”

O’Keefe previously pleaded guilty to breaching the domestic violence order and possession of cannabis, but denied further charges of assault and drug possession.

He was found in possession of the synthetic stimulant mephedon, known as ‘meow-meow’, after a pre-Christmas party at his central Sydney home.

O’Keefe’s rehabilitation was seen as a matter of ongoing concern given his guilty plea to driving offenses in late 2023.

Previous charges were dismissed on mental health grounds following an incident in January 2021 in which he punched the woman and spit in her face.

“I accept that your mental health condition may have contributed to your actions,” Ms Viney said as she outlined his bipolar diagnosis and psychiatric treatment.

But she added that a pattern of behavior was evident in the many incidents linked to domestic violence.

A previous charge of resisting arrest by police was dismissed by the court.

Speaking to reporters outside the court, O’Keefe said he planned to appeal the convictions.