Former Channel Seven star Andrew O'Keefe has been handed a prison sentence following a disturbing domestic incident that saw the once-beloved television host fall from grace in spectacular fashion.
From Prime Time to Prison Time
The 52-year-old entertainer, best known for hosting Australia's version of Deal Or No Deal, appeared at Sydney's Downing Centre Court where Magistrate Daniel Covington delivered the sobering verdict. O'Keefe received an aggregate sentence of 18 months, with a non-parole period of 12 months, making him eligible for release in October 2025.
The Incident That Changed Everything
The court heard harrowing details of the January 2023 altercation where O'Keefe assaulted a woman known to him at a luxury Woolloomooloo apartment. During the violent episode, the celebrity reportedly grabbed the victim by the throat and physically restrained her when she attempted to leave the premises.
When police arrived at the scene, their search uncovered 0.31 grams of cocaine in O'Keefe's wallet, leading to additional drug possession charges.
A Troubled Downward Spiral
This isn't the first time O'Keefe has faced legal troubles. The magistrate noted the entertainer's previous conviction for assaulting another woman in 2021, highlighting a pattern of concerning behaviour.
During sentencing, Magistrate Covington didn't mince words, describing O'Keefe's actions as "a significant act of domestic violence" that left the victim feeling "terrified and traumatised."
The Fall of a Television Icon
O'Keefe's dramatic fall from television royalty to convicted criminal marks one of Australian entertainment's most startling declines. Once the charming host who handed out life-changing sums to contestants, he now faces his own life-altering circumstances behind bars.
The case has sent shockwaves through Australia's entertainment industry and serves as a sobering reminder of how quickly fortunes can change when personal demons overtake professional success.
