Andrew O’Keefe and alleged victim fought over flower business proposal

Disgraced television host Andrew O’Keefe’s alleged assault victim has told police the pair argued over starting a flower business together.

The woman who was allegedly assaulted by ex Channel 7 star Andrew O’Keefe told police she had gone to his apartment to discuss establishing a flower business.

Somehow the interaction between the pair descended to the point where police have now charged O’Keefe with choking and punching the woman who allegedly bit ex Weekend Sunrise host’s arm to break free of his grip.

O’Keefe — a one-time host of game show Deal or No Deal and White Ribbon ambassador — claims he was acting in self defence during the incident that allegedly unfolded inside his Kent St apartment in the Sydney CBD after 1.40pm on January 25.

Andrew O'Keefe has been accused of choking and punching a woman known to him. Picture: AAP Image/Joel Carrett

The woman, whose identity has been suppressed by a court order, made a complaint to police on January 26.

The Saturday Telegraph can reveal the woman made an official statement to police where she said she had attended O’Keefe’s apartment on January 25 to discuss establishing a flower business with the 50-year-old troubled TV star before an argument broke out.

A source familiar with the details of the case said the woman did not detail to police the history of her business plans with O’Keefe.

Instead, she simply said she was there to discuss establishing a flower business and then told police that O’Keefe assaulted her before detailing the injuries she allegedly sustained, the source said.

A sketch of Andrew O’Keefe as he appeared in Sydney's Central Local Court via video link. Picture: Vincent de Gouw for NCA NewsWire

The woman does not appear to be established in the flower business.

A search of business records Australian wide showed there were no businesses listed in her name.

She also had no online or social media presence showing she is involved in the flower industry.

The woman’s statement and version of events will likely be tested if O’Keefe’s case progresses to a defended hearing.

O’Keefe was once an ambassador for domestic violence charity White Ribbon.

O’Keefe, who in 2017 was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for his service to television and charity work, was arrested by police who arrived at his apartment at 4.30am on January 27.

He was charged with two counts of intentionally choking without consent, three counts of common assault and one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

When O’Keefe appeared in Central Local Court on January 28, his lawyer Sharon Ramsden told Magistrate Robert Williams her client sustained “substantial” injuries and that it could not be ruled out that he was acting in self defence.

The one time TV star is now being held on remand in Silverwater Jail after his bail was refused on January 28.

O’Keefe’s case was mentioned again on Friday, where prosecutors laid an additional charge of possessing a prohibited drug against him, after they allegedly found 1.5 grams of cannabis at his apartment on January 27.

A drug possession charge has also been laid against the former TV star. Picture: Jeremy Piper

In court, the police prosecutor foreshadowed that O’Keefe would be hit with additional charges next week for allegedly contravening an AVO relating to another woman.

The court heard pleas would be entered for the charges during his appearance next week, and that a hearing date would likely be fixed.

It marks an absolute low point for O’Keefe who, after 17 years with Channel 7, was let go after the network opted not to renew his contract in February last year.

The court was told Mr O’Keefe had battled mental health and substance abuse issues.

In June last year, O‘Keefe had two domestic violence charges dismissed and a third withdrawn by police in Waverley Local Court after Magistrate Ross Hudson found he was in a hypomanic bipolar state when he assaulted his partner.

O’Keefe will appear in Central Local Court on Friday.

Originally published as Andrew O’Keefe and alleged victim fought over flower business proposal