Andrew O’Keefe sentenced to 18 months good behaviour

Former host of The Chase Andrew O’Keefe has been sentenced to an 18-month good behaviour bond after being found guilty of assaulting a woman during an argument in 2021.

ABC reports the 52-year-old was yesterday convicted by a Sydney magistrate of common assault, common assault occasioning actual bodily harm, breaching an AVO and drug possession.

He was acquitted of one count of resisting arrest.

O’Keefe was isolating at the complainant’s Sydney home in September 2021 under COVID-19 rules when the pair had an argument.

He was accused of spitting in the woman’s face before pushing and kicking her, leaving her with visible injuries.

O’Keefe denied causing the injuries and denied deliberately assaulting her, claiming he was “carrying her whole body weight” before “something tripped us” and he fell on top of her.

Magistrate Alison Viney described his behaviour over multiple incidents in September 2021 as “frightening and degrading” for the victim and said there was consistency in her evidence.

The court heard O’Keefe called the woman a “lying dog” and a “c—“, and he was accused of assaulting her on several occasions.

Magistrate Viney also told the court she accepted the victim’s version of events, while O’Keefe “constantly appeared to downplay his actions”.

She accepted O’Keefe had spent some four months in custody, in addition to participating in residential rehabilitation in 2022 — which also represented a form of quasi-custody.

In sentencing, she considered material including statements from O’Keefe’s close relatives that they were supportive and would continue to do all they can to assist his recovery.

O’Keefe was sentenced to one 12-month and three 18-month community corrections orders, which include supervision and reporting requirements.

He was also fined $800 for the drug offences.

He plans to appeal/