Embattled tv star Andrew O’Keefe has confronted court docket on home violence and resisting arrest, a court docket has heard, after having separate assault prices on a intercourse employee dropped.
O’Keefe, 51, was initially charged with choking a 38-year-old lady earlier than he punched and kicked her in his Sydney CBD unit on January 25.
It was believed the pair met when O’Keefe employed her for intercourse work providers earlier than they developed a friendship.
It was alleged they began arguing after he referred to as in a debt for $20,000 and the girl requested for extra money to additional a business she deliberate to construct.
Earlier in court docket, O’Keefe’s authorized staff argued the girl attacked him with a cricket bat and scissors and he wanted to defend himself.
But after pleading not responsible to these assault prices, there was a twist in court docket when the listening to was set to start on Monday morning.
Prosecutor Michael Cleaver instructed the court docket the fees had been being dismissed as a result of the alleged sufferer had left the nation and so they didn’t get her to testify.
But the court docket battle will not be over for the troubled former host of Deal or No Deal and Weekend Sunrise.
He will nonetheless face a two-day listening to on separate home violence prices — widespread assault and assault occasioning precise bodily hurt — in addition to one depend of resisting an officer in execution of obligation.
That listening to was set down for Monday and Tuesday, though the court docket heard it might take longer as a result of there being 14 witnesses.
O’Keefe additionally pleaded responsible to 1 depend of contravening an apprehended violence order.
Dressed in a inexperienced swimsuit and brown tie, O’Keefe sat behind his lawyer because the listening to started in Downing Centre Local Court.
He was granted strict bail in May to remain in a long-term residential rehabilitation facility in Port Stephens, after spending nearly 5 months in custody on remand.
O’Keefe pleaded responsible to a separate drug possession cost on 11 February final yr and he was but to enter a plea on a second drug possession cost.
The long-time Channel 7 TV presenter’s fall from success adopted an extended and glowing profession.
As effectively as being the face being many prime time packages, he served on the National Council for the Prevention of Violence Against Women and based the associated White Ribbon Australia organisation.
He was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 2017 for his charity work and TV achievements.
More to return.
Source: www.news.com.au
