Former TV host Andrew O’Keefe sentenced over drug, trespass charge

Disgraced ex-TV host Andrew O’Keefe has been warned the “next step is jail” after admitting to drug and trespass charges weeks after a suspected overdose.

Disgraced former TV host Andrew O’Keefe has been told by a magistrate the “next step is jail” in a lashing over his use of drugs after being ordered to engage with rehab following an overdose.

The former Deal Or No Deal host appeared in Waverley Court via audiovisual link on Thursday and pleaded guilty to entering enclosed lands, breaching an AVO and possessing a prohibited drug.

The 52-year-old confronted a man at a property in Point Piper – where he was not lawfully allowed to be – on July 28, before he was arrested by police after a traffic stop.

O’Keefe was again placed under arrest at Rose Bay Police Station on September 16, one day after he overdosed on heroin.

Former TV star Andrew O’Keefe pleaded guilty to drug and trespassing charges. Picture: NewsWire / Max Mason-Hubers

Police allege a search of the former Weekend Sunrise host’s vehicle uncovered crystal meth in his car.

In sentencing, magistrate Jacqueline Milledge “assured” the former TV personality he faced possible prison time if he reoffended after ordering him to engage with rehabilitation as a condition of his sentence.

“You have been given lots of opportunities to do something about your use of drugs,” she told O’Keefe.

“I can assure you the next step is jail. I’m not just saying that, I absolutely mean it.

“It‘s got to the state where the court would believe you just can’t be rehabilitated.”

Ms Milledge sentenced O’Keefe to a 30-month community corrections order, contingent on him engaging with rehab.

He was also ordered to pay a $2000 fine and suspended from driving for three months for the drug charge.

A further $500 fine was also ordered in relation to the trespass.

His lawyer Jahan Kalantar earlier entered pleas on his behalf to entering enclosed lands and breaching an AVO (charges relating to the Point Piper incident) and to possessing an illicit drug (in relation to the Rose Bay incident).

The court was told a charge of intimidation related to the Point Piper incident has been withdrawn.

“This, your honour, is what we say is the final crossroads,” Mr Kalantar told the court.

He said there was “no more serious” lesson than his client almost dying from a drug overdose and asked the court to impose a non-custodial sentence.

He is in custody on remand. Picture: NewsWire / John Appleyard

Magistrate Jacqueline Milledge told O’Keefe frankly that his life had “just completely gone off the rails” and it was his responsibility to fix it.

“I know domestic violence is a factor in your offending and that is awful, truly awful,” she said.

“You got into the grip of something awful and the wheels fell off.”

The magistrate said she remembered telling O’Keefe “god help you” during a previous court appearance.

“I am personally disappointed that you’re where you are and you haven’t managed to get yourself back on your feet,” she said.

“I just wish you’d get yourself back to a position where you can do something for the community again.”

“I truly believe I can offer something back to the community again,” O’Keefe told her.

He wore a prison-issued green T-shirt and reading glasses and appeared emotional as he was addressed by the magistrate.

The court was told O’Keefe has a “strained” relationship with his children, whom Ms Milledge told him “are successful despite you”.

“He’s got to love them more than the lifestyle he’s been living,” she told his lawyer.

Of his children, O’Keefe said: “Your Honour, those kids are the dearest things in my life.

“They’re wonderful and I want to be there for them and I understand now that there’s no drug in the world that’s going to allow that to happen if it’s in my life.”

O’Keefe told the court he was trying to atone for his criminal behaviour and he “sincerely apologise(d)”.

“It’s not about being sorry anymore, it’s about getting real,” Ms Milledge retorted.

“The only person that’s going to make your life any different is you.”

The police prosecutor said there was “nothing” in the former TV host’s letter of apology that recognised the impact of his actions on his victim.

He asked the court to impose a two-year apprehended violence order to protect the woman from O’Keefe.

O’Keefe with his lawyer Jahan Kalantar. Picture: NewsWire / Max Mason-Hubers

O’Keefe will be sentenced on Thursday afternoon.

It comes just weeks after O’Keefe was told by the same magistrate he was “lucky to be alive” after emergency services rushed to his home in Vaucluse following a heroin overdose.

He has waged a public battle against drug addiction and has been in and out of rehabilitation centres for the past three years.

O’Keefe is facing a string of drug-related offences in Waverley and Sydney Downing Centre Local Courts after his bid to overturn domestic violence convictions was dismissed.

The former Channel 7 host has previously been convicted of domestic violence offences after a “degrading” attack on a woman.

His bid to overturn the convictions was knocked back last month.

He previously railed against domestic violence offences as the chairman of the White Ribbon Australia organisation, which aims to prevent violence against women.

The 52-year-old was an ambassador for the charity from its inception in 2007 until it was dissolved in 2019.

Originally published as Former TV host Andrew O’Keefe sentenced over drug, trespass charge