Andrew O’Keefe loses bid to overturn assault conviction

Former television host Andrew O’Keefe has failed to convince a judge he did not assault a woman during an argument in 2021, but has won his bid to overturn a conviction for drug possession.

The former Seven presenter was found guilty in January of common assault, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, contravening an apprehended violence order and possessing a prohibited drug.

O’Keefe, 52, denied the charges, arguing on appeal that the victim inflicted the injuries herself.

ABC News reports district court judge John Pickering said he was “satisfied beyond reasonable doubt” of O’Keefe’s guilt in relation to the assault and found it “very hard to accept” the bruising suffered by the woman was “innocent”.

“The complainant was a truthful witness about this incident,” Judge Pickering said.

He dismissed any suggestion she had “made up” the assault.

The court heard the woman took a series of photographs of the injuries she suffered, including bruises to her thighs, arms and hip, while a neighbour also “immediately” noticed an injury to her chest.

Prosecutors had alleged O’Keefe pushed, punched and kicked the woman during an argument in September 2021.

The judge also highlighted the victim’s reluctance to report the attack to police or to a neighbour who had come to check on her after hearing a commotion.

“It really speaks against her having this evil intent against him as put by senior counsel on his behalf,” Judge Pickering said.

However, Judge Pickering accepted “there was a real problem” with the way O’Keefe’s drug possession charges were finalised.

Hefound there was reasonable doubt about whether O’Keefe had any knowledge of the drug being stored inside his apartment.

He quashed the fine and conviction O’Keefe was handed in relation to those matters.

O’Keefe was sentenced in January to an 18-month good behaviour bond for the assault.

News.com.au reports outside court, O’Keefe told journalists he was “very disappointed” with the judgment but he wouldn’t continue to fight it.

He denied he got upset inside the courtroom but blamed perceived issues with the justice system for the loss of his appeal.