A popular TV presenter in Australia has avoided a prison sentence despite an assault trial verdict that said his 'kicking and spitting' at a woman was "frightening and degrading". Andrew O'Keefe, 53, is the former host of Australian TV shows including The Chase, on which he starred with British Chasers, The Governess Anne Hegerty and The Beast Mark Labbett. He was found guilty in January of common assault and assault occasioning actual bodily harm, alongside drug possession and violating an Apprehended Violence Order.
The TV presenter also hosted the Australian versions of Dragons Den and Deal Or No Deal was declared guilty of assaulting and spitting at a woman by the magistrate at Sydney Downing Centre Local Court following an incident in September 2021, in which O'Keefe forcefully pushed the woman against a doorway, causing injuries to her hand and wrist. The court heard that he then attacked the woman, kicking her hard in the thigh which resulted in her falling to the ground. While the former TV host, who was defending himself, claimed that the injuries were self-inflicted, the magistrate condemned him for his actions.
The magistrate said: "You treated (the woman)...
with disrespect. Your actions were violent and degrading. You placed her in a position of fear, not only for herself but for her children in their own home.
" O'Keefe avoided a custodial sentence and was ordered to serve 18 months on a community corrections order for the offences. The court was told he suffered.