Former TV host Andrew O’Keefe pleads guilty to Sydney drug, trespass charges
Written by admin on October 10, 2024
Disgraced former TV host Andrew O’Keefe has admitted he confronted a man at a property in Sydney’s affluent eastern suburbs before later being busted with an illicit drug.
The former Deal Or No Deal host appeared in Waverley Court via audiovisual link on Thursday where he pleaded guilty to entering enclosed lands, breaching an AVO, and possessing a prohibited drug.
Police allege the 52-year-old confronted a man at a property in Point Piper – where he was not lawfully allowed to be – on July 28, before he was arrested by police after a traffic stop.
During the stop, police allege they uncovered a crack pipe in the former Weekend Sunrise host’s jacket.
The court was told previously that O’Keefe informed police it belonged to someone else, and he has not been charged in relation to the drug paraphernalia.
The 52-year-old was again placed under arrest at Rose Bay Police Station on September 16 following a suspected heroin overdose.
Police allege a search of his vehicle uncovered a prohibited drug.
His lawyers Jahan Kalantar and Evan James told the court on Thursday morning that O’Keefe would be pleading guilty to entering enclosed lands and breaching an AVO (charges relating to the Point Piper incident) and to possessing an illicit drug (in relation to the Rose Bay incident).
The court was told a charge of intimidation related to the Point Piper incident has been withdrawn.
O’Keefe returned to court on Thursday afternoon, where the pleas were formally entered.
It comes just weeks after O’Keefe was told by the same magistrate he was “lucky to be alive” after emergency services rushed to his home in Vaucluse following a heroin overdose.
The White Ribbon ambassador is currently facing a string of drug-related offences in Waverley and Sydney Downing Centre Local Courts after his bid to overturn domestic violence convictions was dismissed.
O’Keefe did not appear in person earlier this week when a separate charge of driving with an illicit drug in his system in April was mentioned.
The matter will return next month where he has been ordered to enter pleas.
More to come.
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