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AAP
AAP
National
Duncan Murray

'Righteous rage': O'Keefe abuses cops in heated arrest

A court has been shown footage of a confrontation that led to Andrew O'Keefe being charged. (Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS)

Former Seven host Andrew O'Keefe fired a series of four-letter expletives at police after being told he could not get his medication during an arrest over an alleged domestic assault.

The troubled 52-year-old ex-TV star was pushed against a wall and forcibly handcuffed during the September 10, 2021 incident at his Sydney city centre apartment.

A court was on Wednesday shown police body-worn camera footage of the confrontation, which led to a charge of resisting arrest.

Officers initially attended the property to arrest O'Keefe on charges of domestic assault and breaching an apprehended violence order.

Former Seven Network television host Andrew O'Keefe
O'Keefe is seen becoming agitated after officers say he can't retrieve his medication and wallet.

In footage played during a hearing at Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court, O'Keefe can be heard responding to officers with a flurry of abuse after they attempt to calm him down and physically restrain him.

"Attitude? F*** you man," he said.

"It's not attitude. This is justifiable and righteous rage at the way I'm being treated.

"This is a f***ing outrage." 

O'Keefe can be seen becoming agitated after officers tell him he is unable to retrieve his medication and wallet from the unit before being arrested.

"I need my identification, certainly," he said in the footage.

"We know who you are," one of the officers replied.

O'Keefe claimed in the footage of the Friday arrest he had previously agreed to present to police on the following Monday with a lawyer.

"I've got to take my medication," he said.

"This is a very simple request. Why are you being such f***ing Nazis about it?

"This is what happens when I don't have my medication. I get mad."

O'Keefe is pulled from the doorway of the unit and pushed against the wall by four officers while repeatedly being told to calm down.

"Why are you pushing my head against the wall?" he said.

"I'm the victim in this f***ing scenario. Is this how you treat the victim?"

A childhood friend of O'Keefe appeared as a witness in the court on Wednesday, when he claimed ownership of drugs the former TV presenter was charged with possessing.

Daniel Mocsari said he had taken a bag of the synthetic amphetamine mephedrone - known as "meow meow" -  to an early Christmas party hosted by his long-time friend. 

He said he left the drugs at O'Keefe's house after losing track of them at the party, adding he offered the substance to his friend but he refused.

"It was definitely my stuff, not his," Mr Mocsari told the court.

O'Keefe appeared to become emotional during the court hearing as vision of his arrest was shown and he was allowed to wait outside the room as the case continued.

He is facing a series of charges, including common assault, possessing a prohibited drug and breaching an AVO, as well as an additional charge of resisting an officer.

One of the officers involved in the arrest, Constable Ryan Cole, told the court police had offered to get O'Keefe his medication but he refused.

"He didn't want us to go into his apartment, which was his decision," Const Cole said.

O'Keefe can be heard in the footage telling police he did not want them going through his possessions.

"You don't even know where it is, you idiots," O'Keefe said.

Const Cole said moving O'Keefe from the doorway into the hall where he was handcuffed was the best "tactical option" to control him if the situation were to escalate.

"He was trying to break free and was becoming quite verbally aggressive towards us," he said.

"It was all happening quite fast so we needed to control the situation for the safety of the officers."

The hearing will continue on Thursday.

1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)

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