Hearing date set for troubled TV star Andrew O’Keefe

An important date has been set for embattled TV star Andrew O’Keefe, who is embroiled in a number of violent court matters.

Former TV star Andrew O’Keefe will return to court at the end of the year to fight his violent charges before the court.

The former face of Channel 7 has finally been given a hearing date for the nine charges before the court after months of waiting and several failed bids for freedom.

He has previously denied breaching an apprehended violence order, three counts of common assault, two counts of intentionally choking a person without consent, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Andrew O’Keefe leaves the Sydney Downing Centre court after a previous court appearance. Picture: Joel Carrett

Police allege Mr O’Keefe breached an apprehended violence order in place to protect an alleged victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons.

The ex-host of The Chase was then charged with six offences in January after police alleged he grabbed a sex worker by the throat, punched her and pushed her to the ground.

The court has heard Mr O’Keefe has claimed he was acting in self-defence after being attacked himself. The alleged victim has not been charged with any offence.

Mr O’Keefe was charged with another offence only weeks after his arrest, when the former lawyer was found with 1.5g of marijuana in his possession. He has since pleaded guilty to the offence but has not yet been sentenced.

On Monday, Sydney Downing Centre Local Court heard all nine charges would be adjourned to the same date.

The former host of popular game show, The Chase, is facing nine charges in court.

Neither Mr O’Keefe nor his lawyer appeared in court, but an email requested a hearing date to fight the charges.

There was some confusion about which charges should be set for a hearing date, but Magistrate Rebecca Hosking noted the email “seems to refer to all of them”.

She set down a full day hearing for Mr O’Keefe’s matters on December 7. The court heard his bail conditions will continue until that time.

The former host of Deal or No Deal was released from prison to stay in a residential rehabilitation centre last month after having remained in custody since January.

He was ordered to spend between six and 12 months at the luxurious Global Connect Centre near Port Stephens.

This is the tenth stint in rehab for Mr O’Keefe, who has battled addictions to ice and cocaine.

Andrew O’Keefe is pictured on his way from Silverwater Jail in Sydney after being granted bail to attend a rehab centre.

His public legal battles follow on from a successful life in the public eye as a TV presenter and host of popular game show The Chase Australia. For 17 years he appeared as the face of many programs on Channel 7, including Weekend Sunrise and Deal or No Deal.

Mr O’Keefe was one of the founders of the White Ribbon Australia organisation dedicated to preventing violence against women, and served on the National Council for the Prevention of Violence Against Women.

He was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 2017 for his charity work and television accomplishments.

Originally published as Hearing date set for troubled TV star Andrew O’Keefe