The 50-year-old has been held in Silverwater jail on remand after being charged in January with allegedly grabbing a sex worker by the throat, punching and pushing her to the ground.Sources inside the prison have told The Daily Telegraph that O’Keefe hasn’t taken too kindly to his temporary life in lockup.One source told the publication the former The Chase host has been “self-entitled” during his time at the facility.“He’s demanding. Constantly asking for this and for that … he’s a real prima donna,” they said.“I don’t think he’s come to terms with the fact that he’s (on remand).”Stream more entertainment news live & on demand with Flash. 25+ news channels in 1 place. New to Flash? Try 1 month free. Offer ends 31 October, 2022 >O’Keefe’s defence barrister, Arjun Chhabra, has previously complained about his client’s treatment in custody, telling the court last month that he had been “surrounded” by warring bikie gang members, denied medication and bullied by Corrective Services officers.O’Keefe had also suffered “reduced vision due to an altercation with Corrective Officers,” Mr Chhabra told the court.Last month, O’Keefe formally entered not guilty pleas to the six charges he is facing.He faced Sydney’s Central Local Court on March 11, appearing dressed in prison greens via audiovisual link from the Metropolitan Reception and Remand Centre at Silverwater jail.O’Keefe pleaded not guilty to all charges, including intentionally choking a person without consent, three counts of common assault and one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.Through his lawyers, O’Keefe has previously claimed that he was acting in self defence and the victim of an assault himself.The complainant in his case has not been charged with any offence.In the weeks after the arrest police laid a further charge after they found him with 1.5g of marijuana. He has pleaded guilty to a charge of possessing a prohibited drug and is yet to be sentenced.O’Keefe lost his most recent bid for bail in the NSW Supreme Court in March, with the crown prosecutor telling the court the woman and the ex-TV star became known to each other when he purchased sex services from her.The two subsequently developed a friendship.O’Keefe claimed before the alleged assaults that the woman owed him about $20,000 and was pressuring him to give her more money in order to further a flower business, the court heard.He claims he acted in self defence, with Mr Chhabra saying O’Keefe claimed the woman grabbed a cricket bat and scissors before she started to attack him and he was forced to defend himself in an attempt to “distract and disarm” her.“There is a real chance of acquittal,” Mr Chhabra told the court.“In the event of conviction … full-time imprisonment is not inevitable.“She also has motivations to lie. By going to the police and making a complaint she potentially relieves herself of a $20,000 debt that he has called in.”O’Keefe, who the court was told has battled addictions to cocaine and ice, had wanted bail so he could attend a mental health rehabilitation facility for three weeks.The duration of the rehab stint was deemed to be not long enough and bail was refused.A hearing date for the six assault and choking charges has been set for July 18.He will also return to court for another hearing in June after pleading not guilty to breaching an apprehended violence order put in place to protect a different alleged victim who also cannot be identified for legal reasons.– with NCA NewsWire
Powered by WPeMatico
