Former Channel Seven presenter Andrew O’Keefe facing further charge over highly toxic amphetamine

One day after being released on bail to attend rehab, police charged the former TV star with possessing a highly addictive drug.

Andrew O’Keefe in 2019. Picture: John Feder

Fallen television star Andrew O’Keefe has been charged with possessing a highly toxic and deadly amphetamine.

The 50-year-old has been charged with possessing mephedrone, a highly addictive psychoactive stimulant drug with the street name “meow meow”.

Police allegedly found 1.66g of drug – which has no medicinal use – in O’Keefe’s possession when he was arrested at his Sydney serviced apartment in January.

The Australian understands the drug was seized by police at the time of his arrest and sent to the NSW Forensic and Analytical Science Service for testing, with the charges being laid in late May.

The former Seven Network presenter was arrested by police after allegedly grabbing a sex worker by the throat, punching and pushing the woman to the ground. Police also allege he assaulted her a second time by further punching and kicking her.

After his arrest, vision of him leaving Day Street police station in the CBD went viral as he verbally lashed out at journalists and kicked the compartment of the police van he was being transported in.

The former ambassador for anti-domestic violence charity White Ribbon appeared angry and distraught, yelling “I’m a victim of crime” as he was taken to the Sydney Police Centre to spend the night behind bars. “F..k off, get rid of these f..king journalists, you douchebags,” he yelled.

This is former TV presenter Andrew O'Keefe screaming and banging inside the back of a paddy wagon.

He was charged with multiple offences after allegedly assaulting a woman on Tuesday.

Full story: https://t.co/KhJydWGY98pic.twitter.com/4GdUofJ1Sa

— Liam Mendes (@liammendes) January 27, 2022

He is now contesting a total of seven charges including intentional choking, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and common assault, and will face a two-day hearing in January next year to contest the charges.

The new charge was filed just one day after O’Keefe was released on bail last month to a faith-based drug and alcohol centre near Newcastle, after almost half a year of failed bail applications.

So desperate were his lawyers to get him out of prison and into a rehabilitation centre, they brought O’Keefe’s application to the NSW Supreme Court – the same court his late father, judge and barrister Barry O’Keefe, presided over.

Facing judge Robert Hulme, O’Keefe was finally released to treat his “significant descent into an erratic and chaotic lifestyle”.

Justice Hulme said O‘Keefe had struggled with mental health issues and rehabilitation was a “good opportunity” for him.

The court heard that O’Keefe had been to rehab nine times previously following battles with ­cocaine and ice.

Concerns have been raised about the facility, which is run by not-for-profit Connect Global, after images emerged of Bandidos club members at the establishment.

Connect Global has also taken Port Stephens Council to the NSW Land and Environment Court after the council ruled that the rehab centre could not be run on the site, which also shares facilities and is accessible by members of the public.

O’Keefe will return to court on December 14.