A popular TV host has avoided prison after ‘kicking and spitting’ at a woman.
The Australian TV host, Andrew O’Keefe, 53, is said to be guilty of ‘kicking and spitting’ at a woman, and the court head that it was “frightening and degrading”.
He used to present the Aussie version of The Chase where he starred alongside British Chasers such as The Governess Anne Hegerty and The Beast Mark Labbett. He also used to present Dragons Den and Deal Or No Deal down under.
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O’Keefe was found guilty in January of common assault and assault occasioning actual bodily harm, alongside drug possession and violating an Apprehended Violence Order.
(Image: WireImage)
He was now declared guilty of assaulting and spitting at a woman at Sydney Downing Centre Local Court. This followed an incident from back in September 2021, where he allegedly pushed the woman against a doorway and injured her hand and wrist.
The court heard that he then kicked her hard in the thigh which made her fall to the floor. However, he claimed her injuries were self-inflicted.
The magistrate said in court: “You treated (the woman)… with disrespect. Your actions were violent and degrading. You placed her in a position of fear, not only for herself but for her children in their own home.”
(Image: Getty Images)
The TV star managed to avoid a prison sentence and was instead ordered to serve 18 months on a community corrections order for the charges. The court was also informed that O’Keefe had struggled with PTSD and bipolar affective disorder and is on daily medication for the conditions.
He was also found guilty of possession of two illegal drugs. The substances were found at his home when he was arrested two days after the assault took place. He was fined $800 after he was found in possession of the illegal substances.
(Image: WireImage)
O’Keefe has been central in Aussie TV for years with him beginning his rise to stardom on Big Bite back in 2003. He became a household name after securing Deal Or No Deal the same year, alongside a stint on Dragon’s Den.
The presenter also hosted a weekend breakfast show, Weekend Sunrise, for 12 years, and fronted The Chase Australia in 2015. He shares four children with his ex-wife Eleanor. They separated in 2017 and confirmed their divorce two years later.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
