Courtroom 5.2 at Sydney’s Downing Centre court was abuzz with activity at 9.30am on Wednesday.
Magistrate Jennifer Atkinson quickly ran through her long list: setting dates for future hearings, booking interpreters and deciding bail conditions – the monotonous details that keep the criminal justice system running.
Among the two dozen lawyers, police officers, family members and court staff gathered was embattled former television star Andrew O’Keefe, making his second appearance at the court complex in as many days.
At the time, he was the former host of Deal or No Deal. only court appearance scheduled for the day, before it was marred by another arrest.
For much of his life, O’Keefe, 52, has been the center of attention, the star of the show.
But in room 5.2 her stardust had faded to a dull gray, like the thinning hair around her temples.
His presence did not generate whispering glances or knowing glances. There was no group of journalists eager to transcribe every cough and every spit.
Andrew O’Keefe (pictured), 52, appeared in court on Wednesday morning where he admitted his string of drug and domestic violence offences were a “tangled mess”.
After all, it’s been almost five years since the former Seven star last appeared on the small screen.
The intervening period has seen a seemingly endless and increasingly sad series of arrests and court appearances.
O’Keefe is currently appealing his January conviction for drug and domestic violence offenses.
Although the old charm was still evident in the smiles he directed at court officials, O’Keefe was visibly nervous as he waited patiently while four other cases were heard before his.
He oscillated between drumming his left foot up and down, adjusting his forest green tie, drinking from a water bottle and repeatedly clearing his throat.
The OAU fanned himself with a sheaf of court papers and tapped away on his laptop as his brother came up behind him to offer words of encouragement.
Shortly before ten in the morning he was called to testify in his case.
O’Keefe, a lawyer by training, has represented himself on charges that he violated a violence protection order established on behalf of his former partner.
Police alleged he breached the order when he set foot inside the door of the woman’s home before allegedly intimidating a man there in late July.
The father-of-three was also concerned about a conflict of dates for two upcoming court appearances, such is his uneasy familiarity with Sydney’s busiest courthouse.
O’Keefe told the court there was “a change in what was going to be argued on the other side,” indicating he would enter his pleas in court next week.
“It’s a complicated mess, Your Honor,” he admitted to Judge Atkinson.
He seemed to shake his head furiously when she told him that both matters could be postponed until August 14.
Happier times: Andrew O’Keefe pictured at Tamarama Beach in Sydney’s eastern suburbs in 2008
“We are professional decision makers, we have to exercise our judgement and resolve matters,” Judge Atkinson assured him at the end of the four-minute hearing.
O’Keefe appeared upbeat and joked with reporters as he left the courtroom at 10:04 a.m.
Asked if he thought he might appear on television again, he replied: “I doubt it will be anytime soon, no.”
He admitted to having had addiction problems in the past, but said he had now overcome them.
“I’m fine now,” he insisted, as he marched toward the late winter sun.
But at 1pm, less than two hours later, he would be arrested again at his home in Vaucluse, accused of violating his bail conditions.
It is understood that he contacted the alleged victim of bullying.
“He was taken to Waverley Police Station and will appear before Waverley Local Court for bail to be re-determined,” a NSW Police spokesman said.
O’Keefe was again granted bail on the condition that he report to Rose Bay Police Station three times a week, refrain from drinking alcohol or taking drugs and not enter Point Piper.
Following the incident in July, O’Keefe was granted bail after being charged with intimidation and breaching a planned violence order.
That day, Sunday, July 28, police officers He arrested O’Keefe on Cranbrook Road in SydneyThe affluent suburb of Bellevue Hill at 11.45 am after he was allegedly seen “under the influence of drugs” behind the wheel of a Mercedes sedan.
Earlier that day, he is believed to have intimidated a man at his ex-partner’s home.
O’Keefe failed the roadside test and officers discovered an ice pipe in his jacket pocket.
O’Keefe denied it was his, and Daily Mail Australia does not suggest otherwise.
For now, it’s just another legal matter to add to his seemingly ever-growing list.
On Tuesday, after recording a small victory in avoiding a criminal conviction for driving without a license, O’Keefe even joked on the courthouse steps that he “can’t stay away from the place.”
But the troubled star cut a sad and dejected figure later on Tuesday afternoon when he was pictured slumped on a stone bench in a park in Paddington in the city’s exclusive eastern suburbs.
Perhaps he was reflecting on the judge’s comments.
There are many who believe the courts have treated O’Keefe leniently, but there are also a large number of people who would love to see him restored to his former glory (pictured with his ex-wife at the 2009 Logie Awards).
“The sad reality is that you are no stranger to this place, even if you have committed more serious crimes,” Magistrate Michael Allen had told him.
This was made clear last night when Channel Nine released disturbing footage of O’Keefe shouting at police officers after being arrested for a “violent and degrading” assault in September 2021.
“It’s a simple request. Why are you acting like such fucking Nazis?” he is heard saying as he is handcuffed.
‘Why should I calm down when you’re doing this to me?’
Many believe the courts have treated O’Keefe leniently.
But there are also a large number of people who would love to see him return to his former glory. After all, everyone loves redemption stories.
A Daily Mail Australia reader said he “had the pleasure of meeting AOK a few years ago and he was such a gentleman and down to earth.”
“I wish him the best on his road to recovery and self-discovery. Do it for your kids, Andrew,” they commented.
Another added: ‘I’m rooting for the redemption story. Come on Andrew, get your act together mate.’