Former TV star Andrew O’Keefe has been released from custody despite prosecutors arguing the troubled ex-host might pose a risk to the community after allegedly threatening a man.
The 52-year-old ex-Seven Network personality was arrested while driving through Sydney’s eastern suburbs yesterday when police say he returned a positive result for drugs in a roadside test.
O’Keefe, who in January avoided jail after being found guilty of domestic violence-related offences, had allegedly threatened a man at a home in the well-heeled suburb of Point Piper a short time earlier.
He was later charged with contravening an apprehended violence order and stalking or intimidating the man.
O’Keefe was held in custody overnight, but today was granted conditional bail in Waverley Local Court after a magistrate was told he only put his foot in the door of the alleged victim’s home.
His lawyer, Sharon Ramsden, told the court her client would fight the charges, describing the case as a “one-on-one” matter.
She said when O’Keefe attended the address there were concerns a burglar could be inside and he had put “one foot in the door”.
“That’s the gravity of that breach,” Ramsden said.
She claimed a man who made a complaint against O’Keefe had been the one who was threatening, while her client was not angry or agitated at the time.
Police prosecutor Paul Henningham opposed bail on the basis O’Keefe had a history of domestic violence and could be a danger to the community.
Sergeant Henningham said there was a strong prosecution case against O’Keefe, who went to an address he knew he should not attend while under existing court orders.
On claims there could have been a burglar at the residence, Sgt Henningham said that was “an extraordinary set of circumstances”.
O’Keefe appeared drug-affected with glassy, blood-shot eyes when police stopped him, the prosecutor said.
He was also allegedly found with an ice pipe in the jacket he was wearing.
Later analysis returned a positive result for the drug methamphetamine in O’Keefe’s system and he was driving on a suspended licence at the time, Sgt Henningham said.
Magistrate Jacqueline Milledge granted bail on conditions O’Keefe report to police three times per week, undergo daily urine testing and refrain from drugs and alcohol.
His sister, who was in the court’s public gallery in support of her sibling, also needed to provide a $1000 surety for his release.
O’Keefe walked out of the neighbouring Waverley police station this afternoon, clutching court documents and a few possessions.
The charges are the latest legal setback for O’Keefe, a former Deal or No Deal host, who has struggled with drug issues and mental health problems in recent years.
He is due to appear in the District Court on Wednesday to appeal previous convictions for domestic violence and drug possession charges.
O’Keefe is scheduled to return to court on the fresh charges on August 14.
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