Troubled ex-TV star Andrew O’Keefe apologises after court outburst
Troubled former game show host Andrew O’Keefe has made a grovelling apology to a magistrate after a dramatic outburst.
Police & Courts
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Embattled former TV game show host Andrew O’Keefe has conceded he disrespected a magistrate during a dramatic court outburst.
The 50-year-old ex-host of The Chase Australia accused magistrate Daniel Reiss of having “no interest in justice” during a bail hearing in Sydney’s Central Local Court last week.
“I do wish to offer an apology unreservedly,” Mr O’Keefe said on Thursday.
“My behaviour last time was quite disrespectful to the court.
“I come from a family that has experience in the judiciary; my father was a judge, I know how difficult the job is.”
After previously warning Mr O’Keefe that his behaviour could constitute contempt of court, Mr Reiss accepted the apology and said no further action would be taken.
Mr O’Keefe has been remanded in custody since January after police accused him of grabbing a former sex worker by the throat, punching her and pushing her to the ground.
He pleaded not guilty to all charges, including intentionally choking a person without consent, three counts of common assault and one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
In the weeks after the arrest, police laid a further charge after Mr O’Keefe was found with 1.5g of marijuana. He has pleaded guilty to one charge of possessing a prohibited drug and is yet to be sentenced.
Mr O’Keefe has previously claimed he acted in self-defence and was the victim of an assault himself. The woman who police allege was the victim has not been charged with any offence.
After securing a bed at a drug rehab facility in Port Stephens, Mr O’Keefe made his latest bail bid on May 4.
On that day Mr O’Keefe interrupted and shook his head in frustration as Mr Reiss told the court of the 50-year-old’s mental health and drug issues.
Despite multiple pleas from his lawyer Sharon Ramsden, O’Keefe continued to rant at Mr Reiss and refused to remain silent.
Mr Reiss told the court that Mr O’Keefe had “significant attitudinal problems”.
“It’s not an attitudinal problem, it’s a technical problem,” Mr O’Keefe replied.
Mr O’Keefe spoke over the police prosecutor to deny the allegations as Mr Reiss warned him that he would be “going backwards by speaking up”.
“That’s simply not true, Your Honour,” Mr O’Keefe said, raising his voice.
“I’m just getting the truth out there.”
Mr Reiss said the significant difference between the previous bail applications was that there was now the chance for Mr O’Keefe to go to a long-term rehabilitation centre.
He told the court that it was “troubling” that Mr O’Keefe’s alleged offending went on while already on bail.
Erupting in anger, Mr O’Keefe said “alleged behaviour, Your Honour, nothing is confirmed”.
“Are you trying to sabotage your own application,” Mr Reiss replied.
“I’ve dealt with many defendants, some are psychotic and are not as hard to deal with as you. Someone with legal qualifications and 10 warnings should know how to deal with it.
“You’re a lawyer, there’s two sides to every story, you should know that.”
Mr Reiss said Mr O’Keefe could not “be trusted with complying with directions”.
“I would have been inclined to grant bail if not for the ongoing behaviour of Mr O’Keefe in the court,” Mr Reiss said.
“Someone who is qualified as a lawyer and has been in court on several occasions, there have been several warnings.”
Mr Reiss denied bail, saying he was not willing to allow the “unacceptable risk” of letting Mr O’Keefe leave custody.
Mr O’Keefe said “the transcript will say I was not arguing, I was trying to help you Your Honour”.
“You have no interest in justice,” Mr O’Keefe continued before storming out of Dawn de Loas Correctional Centre’s court video link studio.
After a successful 17-year partnership, Channel 7 last year dumped Mr O’Keefe following a series of public scandals and personal struggles.
Before launching The Chase, Mr O’Keefe fronted Weekend Sunrise, Deal or No Deal, The Rich List and other prime-time specials, including the Logie Awards.
He was awarded an Order of Australia for his work on television and in the charity space, including as a former ambassador for anti-domestic violence organisation White Ribbon.
After his latest court appearance, Mr O’Keefe made no further bail application and his case returns to court in September for a hearing.
Originally published as Troubled ex-TV star Andrew O’Keefe apologises after court outburst
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