By Riley Walter
Dramatic footage has emerged of embattled former television host Andrew O’Keefe verbally abusing police during his 2021 arrest on domestic violence charges.
The police bodycam footage, released by a NSW court and aired by Nine News, shows O’Keefe screaming at officers arresting him at his CBD apartment.
Police knock on O’Keefe’s door just before 5pm on September 10 before informing the former Deal or No Deal and Weekend Sunrise host that he is being arrested for assault and breaching an apprehended violence order.
“This is what happens when I don’t have my medication,” O’Keefe shouts at one of the officers after he is informed of the charges against him.
“This is a very simple request. Why are you being such f---ing Nazis about it?”
Shortly after, O’Keefe is told to “calm down”, to which he responds: “Why would I calm down when you’re doing this to me?” as four officers restrain him and pin him against a wall.
Dramatic police bodycam footage has emerged from former TV star Andrew O’Keefe’s arrest in 2021.Credit: Nine News
“Attitude? F--- you man,” O’Keefe responds to an officer telling him his attitude is not helping the situation.
“This is not attitude,” he says as he is led from his apartment building.
“This is justifiable and righteous rage at the way I am being treated.”
O’Keefe was in January found guilty of domestic violence and drug possession offences. He is appealing the convictions.Credit: AAP
The release of the footage comes after O’Keefe appeared in Downing Centre Local Court on Tuesday, after pleading guilty to driving while his licence was suspended on June 20 in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.
O’Keefe, who represented himself in court, was given a conditional release order of 12 months without a conviction being recorded.
In January, O’Keefe was found guilty of kicking, pushing and spitting at a woman and of possessing 1.6 grams of mephedrone, or meow meow, at a Sydney hotel.
He pleaded not guilty to common assault and assault occasioning actual bodily harm against a woman in September 2021. Days later, he was charged with resisting arrest and possessing an illicit drug.
The 52-year-old admitted to breaching an apprehended violence order and a separate drug possession charge, relating to cannabis, but fought the other charges at a hearing in February and November last year. A charge of resisting arrest was dismissed.
O’Keefe was ordered to serve 18 months on a community corrections order, which involves supervision and reporting requirements, and fined $800 for the drug offending.
O’Keefe is appealing his domestic violence and drug possession convictions.