
Andrew O’Keefe facing a new drug driving charge
Former host to appear in court on a new count of driving with an illicit drug in his system.
- Published by David Knox
- on
- Filed under News
Former host of The Chase Andrew O’Keefe is facing a new drug driving charge, according to media reports.
O’Keefe is listed to appear in Waverley Local Court on one count of driving with an illicit drug in his system.
It is the latest saga for the former TV star, last sentenced in October to a 30-month community corrections order, engagement with rehab, and a $2500 fine after pleading guilty to possessing a prohibited drug.
He was also convicted and sentenced over two counts of contravening an AVO, entering enclosed lands without a lawful excuse, and driving with an illicit drug in his system, though no pleas were entered.
The charges were in relation to O’Keefe having meth in his car outside Rose Bay police station, driving with drugs in his system, and breaching an AVO.
Magistrate Jacqueline Milledge previously told him jail would be a “next step” if there were further incidents.
“You have been given lots of opportunities to do something about your use of drugs,” Ms Milledge said.
“I can assure you the next step is jail. I’m not just saying that, I absolutely mean it. It’s got to the state where the court would believe you just can’t be rehabilitated.”
The same magistrate told him last year he was “lucky to be alive” after emergency services rushed to his home in Vaucluse following the heroin overdose.
In December 2023 he escaped conviction after pleading guilty to driving with drugs in his system earlier that year. During sentencing, magistrate Miranda Moody said O’Keefe had since returned negative screenings for drugs and was being treated by a psychiatrist and psychologist.
“To his credit, he’s clearly had some issues with illicit drug use and I’ve been provided material to his use of drugs or lack thereof,” Ms Moody said.
O’Keefe will face court on his latest drug-driving charge on January 20.
- Tagged with The Chase