Former television host Andrew O’Keefe screamed and cursed at police during 2021 arrest, court hears

Videos played to a Sydney court show former television host Andrew O’Keefe screaming at police during a 2021 arrest, after insisting he needed to collect his medication.

The 52-year-old today returned to Downing Centre Local Court for the continuation of a hearing over charges including common assault, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, resisting a police officer and contravening an AVO.

The charges, which he denies, relate to an alleged incident in September 2021.

Police body-worn camera footage showed multiple angles of Mr O’Keefe’s arrest, after he greets officers at the door of an apartment.

In the footage, recorded on a Friday, Mr O’Keefe says he’s been in contact with police and had made plans to make a statement with his lawyer on Monday.

During a brief phone call — which the court heard may have been with his psychiatrist — he is advised to remember to take his medication.

The former game show host agrees that is “essential”.

The situation then appears to deteriorate when Mr O’Keefe insists he needs to retrieve his medication, referring to being “without it for three days last time”.

One officer tells him to calm down.

“This is a very simple request, why are you being such f***ing Nazis about it?” Mr O’Keefe yells.

As the argument about retrieving medication continues, he complains about a fundamental denial of human rights and calls police “idiots”.

Officers take him into the hallway and place handcuffs on him, and he is told to “stop resisting”.

Mr O’Keefe complains about his head being “pushed” against a wall, to which an officer replies that Mr O’Keefe was spitting.

“I’m not spitting on you,” he said.

“It’s a f***ing police state we live in.”

In an elevator, he complained about his treatment and demanded the names of the officers.

Outside, he is searched and put in the back of a police truck.

“This is a f***ing outrage,” he said, complaining about his handcuffs being too tight.

“Seriously, my fingers are f***ing numb.”

One officer again tells him to “calm down”.

Mr O’Keefe replies: “You cut my blood supply, I’m supposed to be calm.”

Another section of footage showed Mr O’Keefe in a police station complaining about previously being “pushed” against the wall.

Police officers give evidence

Several police officers involved in the arrest were called to give evidence.

Chief Inspector Gary Coffey told the magistrate the accused was arrested because he was wanted for breaching an AVO and an assault, which constituted serious alleged offences.

He said he was satisfied the arrest was lawful.

Chief Inspector Coffey was also asked about Mr O’Keefe’s claimed arrangement to make a statement with his lawyer at a later point.

“I would be very surprised if that was the arrangement that was accepted by that command, given the nature and seriousness of the offences,” he told the court.

Inspector Timothy Carter gave evidence of Mr O’Keefe “visibly shaking” and becoming “aggressive”.

Constable Ryan Cole told the court police moved Mr O’Keefe into the hallway to “control” the situation.

He said the handcuffs were deemed necessary to control the defendant.

“A lot of saliva was coming out his mouth. It was a heightened period of COVID,” he said.

The hearing continues.