Former Deal or No Deal presenter Andrew O’Keefe was spotted behind the wheel of his luxury Mercedes-Benz in Sydney, just days after allegedly driving under the influence of drugs.
The 52-year-old, once one of Channel 7’s biggest stars, stopped at Oak Berry cafe in Rose Bay for a smoothie on Saturday afternoon before he was seen climbing into the driver’s seat of his car, wiping his nose and driving away along New South Head Rd.
O’Keefe looked clean-shaven and smartly dressed in a navy jumper, cream chinos and trainers. It was a far cry from his disheveled appearance at Waverley Local Court a week ago, when he was bailed after spending a night in police cells and being arrested for drink driving.
The former Weekend Sunrise presenter is accused of testing positive for drugs after he was arrested shortly before midday last Sunday in Sydney’s affluent Bellevue Hill.
The arrest followed O’Keefe’s court-ordered DUI ticket on June 20 after he pulled over another vehicle 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.
Former Weekend Sunrise and Deal or No Deal presenter Andrew O’Keefe was spotted in Sydney’s Rose Bay on Saturday, days after spending the night in a cell following a drink driving arrest
The 52-year-old looked clean-shaven as he stopped at Oak Berry acai bar for a smoothie
O’Keefe was last arrested when officers from the Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command pulled him over at 11.45am last Sunday and found him behind the wheel of a Mercedes sedan on Cranbrook Road in Bellevue Hill.
Police allege he tested positive for drugs on the road and had threatened a man at an address on Longworth Ave in the adjacent Point Piper neighborhood “for a short time” before being arrested by officers.
He was taken to Waverley Police Station for a second test of his saliva, which reportedly returned a positive result. The sample has been sent for analysis.
Following investigation, O’Keefe was charged with breaching a restraining order/restriction in AVO and stalking/intimidation with intent to commit physical violence.
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.
O’Keefe has been charged with breaching an AVO during a visit to a Point Piper property last weekend
O’Keefe has been issued a summons to appear in court on his latest charges
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.
At the height of his fame he was one of Seven Network’s most popular properties
An unkempt O’Keefe left court in Waverley last week after being granted bail
In support of the bail application, Ms Ramsden said O’Keefe would provide urine samples for drugs daily 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.