Lewis O’Keeffe charged with domestic assault after Origin night fight

A man poured a can of bourbon over his wife and then inadvertently split her lip with the can in an ugly domestic incident on State of Origin Night last week. Studies show domestic violence spikes in NSW by 40 per cent on Origin Night each year.

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A man poured a can of bourbon over his wife and then inadvertently split her lip with the can in an ugly domestic incident on State of Origin Night last week.

A 2018 Foundation of Alcohol Education and Research report revealed domestic violence spiked in NSW by 40 per cent on average on State of Origin night — and Sylvania tradesman Lewis O’Keeffe became another statistic when he assaulted his wife of eight years during an argument as they watched the game.

Police said the pair had four drinks each before they began to argue about their relationship.

Lewis O'Keeffe was convicted of common assault after he poured a can of bourbon over his wife on State of Origin Night.

“The victim had become annoyed with the accused about constantly lying to her and spending money irresponsibly on a vehicle,” agreed police facts stated.

“The accused stood up and poured his can of bourbon on her.”

The victim then sustained a small cut to her lip when she kicked O’Keeffe away from her and his can hit her lip as he fell over.

O’Keeffe pleaded guilty to common assault, intimidation and property damage at Sutherland Local Court on Wednesday, and Magistrate Les Mabbutt sentenced him to a two-year community corrections order.

“If she had been any more seriously injured I’d be thinking about sending you to jail,” Mr Mabbutt told O’Keeffe.

“Treat your partner with a bit more respect.”

Magistrate Les Mabbutt told O’Keeffe to treat his partner with more respect.

The Origin night assault only came to light five days later when O’Keeffe smashed his framed wedding pictures in a rage as he threatened to make his wife’s life “a misery”.

“On July 15, the victim made the accused dinner and they both began to argue about the relationship again,” agreed police facts stated.

“The accused stated ‘I’m going to make (hundreds of thousands) from this house. I’ve been putting away money and I’ll make your life a misery.”

O’Keeffe was sentenced to a two-year community corrections order.

O’Keeffe then used the butt of a butter knife to smash a white photo frame of their wedding photos, leaving shattered glass strewn across the floor.

The victim then called police after speaking to her stepmother and father on the phone and disclosed the incident from that night and the assault from State of Origin night five nights earlier.

“The victim said ‘I don’t know where he will go from here — will he hurt me or will he come more aggressive and intimidating?’” agreed police facts stated.

“The accused made admissions to the offences and informed police that there were other ways he could have dealt with the situation.”