TV personality Andrew O’Keefe in scuffle with photographer outside court

TV personality Andrew O’Keefe was involved in a scuffle with a photographer while facing court for a driving offence. While leaving court during the morning tea break, the ex-Deal or No Deal presenter appeared to swat a photographer on the head with a folder as he took his photo. SEE THE FOOTAGE.

TV personality Andrew O’Keefe has lashed out at a photographer after pleading guilty to a driving offence.

The 47-year-old game show host faced Downing Centre Local Court for the first time on Monday where he admitted to driving an unregistered car while picking up his daughter from school.

The ex Deal or No Deal presenter first gave a peace sign while leaving court during the morning tea break, but soon swore at and appeared to hit AAP photographer Joel Carrett as his back was turned.

“I turned to walk down the front steps and he struck me on the back of my head with his folder,” he said.

Andrew O'Keefe was in a scuffle with a photographer. Picture: AAP

In video footage an audible ‘whack’ sound could be heard as O’Keefe brought the leather folder down onto Mr Carrett’s head.

“He struck me again before the end of the footpath and then he ran through traffic,” he said.

Footage captured by cameramen shows the pair cross a busy street as veteran entertainer uses the A4- sized folder and his hand to block Mr Carrett from taking more photos.

At one point a moving truck had to brake in front of O’Keefe in his haste to reach the other side of the road and enter a coffee shop.

The former lawyer said “pretty pathetic job guys” to waiting media on his way back in before approaching Mr Carrett twice and saying he “impeded my passage — that constitutes assault.”

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“I’ve put you on notice with the police,” O’Keefe told Mr Carrett.

The ex co-anchor of Seven Network’s Weekend Sunrise program later denied he’d been violent when questioned about the incident outside court.

“I didn’t assault a photographer, the photographer assaulted me dude,” O’Keefe said.

“Mate, if a photographer chooses to get in the way of my folder, that’s the photographer’s fault.”

Andrew O'Keefe fronted court accused of driving an unregistered car. Picture: AAP

When asked if he has an anger problem, O’Keefe laughed and replied: “good one, brother”.

AAP Editor in Chief Tony Gillies said Mr Carrett was not physically injured in the incident.

“We are also satisfied that Joel kept a respectful distance and did not obstruct Mr O’Keefe’s path as he left the court,” Mr Gillies said in a statement.

“AAP will not pursue the matter any further.”

O’Keefe represented himself in court where he pleaded guilty but was not handed a criminal conviction due to “extenuating circumstances”.

Instead, a magistrate waived his $673 fine and put him on a 12-month good behaviour bond, having already paid a $390 fine for driving his ex partner’s vintage car uninsured.

Andrew O'Keefe is accused of swatting a photographer on the head with a folder. Picture: AAP

The father-of-three said in late 2017 he split up with his wife Eleanor, who continues to manage the family’s finances through a trust but didn’t tell him she let the insurance and car registration lapse.

O’Keefe said he was caught off guard when pulled over by police as he drove their daughter home from school in September.

“Firstly I had no way of knowing that the vehicle I was driving was unregistered, secondly I had every reason to believe that it was, and thirdly the vehicle I was driving was not registered in my name,” he told the court.

O’Keefe said his wife of 18 years will handle their joint property until they reach a joint divorce settlement, but the car remains unregistered and unused.

“That’s a little vintage car that only has two seats, so it’s not much good for a family car,” he said.

O’Keefe denies assaulting a photographer. Picture: AAP

O’'Keefe was put on a 12-month good behaviour bond. Picture: AAP

O’Keefe is the son of former ICAC boss and Supreme Court Judge Barry O’Keefe and the nephew of Aussie rock and roll singer Johnny O’Keefe.

In December The Chase star said he felt “betrayed” when pictures of him posing with a scantily clad young woman at a private party were splashed across a national magazine.

“I am not the only person in the world who has gone out and had a big night and done things that in the light of day look a little silly, so I don’t carry any shame around that at all,” O’Keefe said at the time.

“But it is embarrassing when your kids have to see that kind of thing”.

A Channel 7 spokesman said: “Motor registration matters that bought Andrew O’Keefe to court in Sydney today are of a private nature and as such Channel 7 will not be making a comment”.