Embattled tv presenter Andrew O’Keefe grew to become emotional as he instructed a court {that a} girl who claims he kicked, spat on and scratched her, inflicted the accidents on herself throughout an argument.
The 52-year-old is going through the second a part of his listening to in Sydney’s Downing Centre Native Court over expenses of widespread assault, contravening an Safety Order, resisting a police officer, possess prohibited drug and assault occasioning precise bodily hurt.
He instructed the court an argument broke out and the alleged sufferer walked as much as him in a “restrained fury” and claimed he referred to as her child a c**t.
He was greatly surprised and instructed the lady he would by no means name any child that phrase, however she instructed O’Keefe to depart, “not come again” and threatened to name the police.
O’Keefe agreed to depart earlier than saying: “You assume I’m a liar, I believe you’re a mad-dog”.
As he was making an attempt to gather his belongings, O’Keefe instructed the court the lady was following him round, there have been moments he moved her out of the way in which and “pushed previous her” along with his physique.
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After leaving the lavatory along with his treatment, he instructed the court the lady “slapped him throughout the chest with the again of her hand”.
“I mentioned to her … ‘should you’re going to name the police nice since you’ve simply assaulted me’,” O’Keefe instructed the court.
The costs associated to an incident in September 2021 at an jap suburbs condominium, the place police allege O’Keefe kicked, spat on and scratched a lady.
O’Keefe took to the witness stand on Thursday the place he instructed the court he was staying on the girl’s home as a consequence of being shut contact of a Covid-infected individual on the time.
He instructed the court at one level the lady grabbed him in a “monkey-style grip” together with her arms and he continued to stroll, carrying her complete physique weight.
O’Keefe mentioned one thing tripped them up and each he and the lady started to fall within the hall, along with his weight on prime of her.
The previous tv presenter obtained up and located the remainder of his belongings earlier than making certain the lady was all proper, saying goodbye and heading to the door.
He grew to become emotional as he instructed the court he mentioned goodbye to the children, whereas he mentioned the lady mentioned to him: “I don’t know why I ever allow you to again into my life”.
The 52-year previous mentioned the lady was “agitated” and seen her hand was round her wrist together with her nails digging into her pores and skin.
On the first a part of the listening to earlier this yr, neighbour Nicole Taylor instructed the court on the night time of the alleged incident she may hear O’Keefe singing within the condominium under hers earlier than it became a “scuffle”.
Ms Taylor went to examine on her neighbour and instructed the court she may inform O’Keefe was “aggressive and indignant” whereas the alleged sufferer was making an attempt to “calm him down”.
“She (the lady) had scratches up her arms and marks on her chest,” Ms Taylor mentioned.
O’Keefe grew to become emotional throughout questioning by his lawyer, Richard Pontello SC, denying punching, kicking, assaulting the lady in any manner.
When requested if he held her to the ground, he mentioned “no”.
The court was instructed O’Keefe was sick on the time of the incident, ultimately crawling to the entrance steps of the constructing the place police discovered him about half an hour later, telling him they had been there to see the lady.
O’Keefe instructed the court he requested the officers whether or not he may make a press release himself, however they “form of laughed” at him and mentioned “why would you try this”.
On the earlier a part of the listening to this yr, footage was performed to the court which confirmed O’Keefe sprawled out on the steps complaining of chest ache.
Within the video, O’Keefe is heard groaning and complaining of getting one thing “chesty”.
Footage confirmed police discovering the complainant, who’s seen crying and holding her wrist which is roofed in scratches.
On Wednesday, footage was proven to the court of O’Keefe’s arrest two days after the alleged incident.
O’Keefe spent nearly 5 months in custody on remand after he was charged with the offences earlier than he was launched on bail.
The previous TV star has confronted a special type of highlight because the assault allegations got here to gentle, following a protracted profession with Channel 7.
In 2017, he was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for his charity work and accomplishments in tv.
The listening to continues earlier than Justice of the Peace Alison Viney.
