Former television host Andrew O'Keefe has been sentenced to an 18-month good behaviour bond after being found guilty of assaulting a woman during an argument in 2021.
Key points:
- The assault happened when the former game show host was isolating at the complainant's Sydney home in September 2021
- A woman was injured in the assault
- The magistrate said O'Keefe "constantly appeared to downplay his actions"
The 52-year-old was convicted by a Sydney magistrate of common assault, common assault occasioning actual bodily harm, breaching an AVO and drug possession.
He was acquitted of one count of resisting arrest.
The court previously heard the former host of Channel Seven's Deal or No Deal was isolating at the complainant's Sydney home in September 2021 under COVID-19 rules when the pair had an argument.
The former White Ribbon ambassador was accused of spitting in the woman's face before pushing and kicking her, leaving her with visible injuries.
O'Keefe denied causing the injuries and denied deliberately assaulting her, claiming he was "carrying her whole body weight" before "something tripped us" and he fell on top of her.
In handing down her decision, Magistrate Alison Viney told the court she accepted the victim's version of events, while O'Keefe "constantly appeared to downplay his actions".
Magistrate Viney told the court the complainant had been an "uncomfortable" witness.
"My view is that she did not want to be in court or giving evidence against Mr O'Keefe," she said.
The magistrate accepted O'Keefe had spent some four months in custody, in addition to participating in residential rehabilitation in 2022 — which also represented a form of quasi-custody.
O'Keefe actions 'violent and degrading'
In sentencing, she considered material including statements from O'Keefe's close relatives that they were supportive and would continue to do all they can to assist his recovery.
Magistrate Viney said O'Keefe had a high-profile and successful media career before his addiction problems "robbed" him of the success.
She handed him convictions, one 12-month community corrections order, three 18-month community corrections orders and fined him $800 for the drug possession matters.
The magistrate said O'Keefe would continue to be susceptible to addiction relapse unless he was "vigilant to the warning bells".
She said he treated the woman with disrespect.
"Your actions were violent and degrading," Magistrate Viney said.
"You placed her in a position of fear not only for herself, but for her children, in their own home.
"Your actions are absolutely condemned."
Outside court, O'Keefe thanked the magistrate for her "careful consideration" of the matters.
He said he would be lodging an appeal.
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2024-01-24 02:48:45Z
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