The upstairs neighbor of a lady allegedly assaulted by former tv presenter Andrew O’Keefe stated she “prevented” him when she noticed him.
Nicole Taylor advised a court docket she acknowledged O’Keefe, 51, from tv and the media, however had not interacted with him regardless of seeing him round her residence constructing a number of occasions.
“I prevented him truly,” she stated on Tuesday, the second day of a listening to Sydney’s Downing Center Local Court.
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O’Keefe faces resisting police, drug possession and home violence-related assault expenses over an alleged incident at Level Piper in September 2021.
Six expenses regarding an alleged January 2022 incident at his Sydney The CBD residence was withdrawn as a result of the alleged sufferer, which the prosecution case considerably relied on, has left the nation.
Taylor stated she heard noises from the residence under whereas she was making dinner on September 8, 2021.
“I might hear one thing was going a bit unsuitable down there,” she stated.
She then encountered O’Keefe, who aggressively shut a door in her face.
Returning to go away a word, Taylor stated she was pulled contained in the door by her neighbor who had scratches up the within of her forearms and throughout her chest.
The girl was additionally limping and shaking “like a leaf”, Taylor stated.
When she requested concerning the limp the lady stated “that she had been kicked by Andrew”.
Throughout a later debrief in Taylor’s residence her neighbor additionally revealed O’Keefe had spat in her face.
Taylor stated she walked O’Keefe out of the residence complicated and requested if he was OK.
“He stated, ‘what do you assume?'” Taylor stated.
Police discovered him mendacity on the steps.
Constable Tyler Kelly stated O’Keefe appeared “agitated”, mendacity on the bottom, holding his hand over his chest, and asking for water.
“Is not mendacity down the other of agitation,” O’Keefe’s lawyer Richard Pontello SC requested on Tuesday.
“It was his behaviour, not that he was mendacity on the steps,” Kelly stated.
The court docket was proven body-worn digicam footage from responding police on Monday.
Constable Elissa Main’s digicam briefly captured her talking with the lady O’Keefe is accused of assaulting.
Main agreed with Pontello one other dialog occurred “off-the-record” as soon as she had turned her digicam off.
The girl advised her O’Keefe had been on “a bender” and didn’t sleep, Main agreed.
Pontello has been asking police about one other dialog occurring at St Vincent’s Hospital, once more after Main’s body-worn digicam had been turned off.
He argued that O’Keefe requested the police to reactivate their physique cameras as a result of he had a request to make.
Main and Kelly advised the court docket they might not bear in mind any such request.
Senior Constable Jemma Harper stated it “undoubtedly didn’t occur”.
“Did you hear Const Main comply with reactivate her digicam?” Pontello requested.
“No, as a result of the request was by no means made,” Harper stated.
O’Keefe requested the police if they’d images of the lady’s accidents, however Harper stated he had not been advised the lady was injured.
Pontello stated O’Keefe knew concerning the lady’s accidents as a result of he watched her inflict them upon herself.
O’Keefe beforehand prevented a home violence conviction in June 2021 after expenses have been handled underneath the NSW Psychological Well being Act
He was granted conditional launch in Could 2022 to attend a rehabilitation middle for as much as 12 months to fight his cocaine, ice and hashish abuse.
The matter was adjourned on Tuesday afternoon for 3 extra listening to days starting November 1.
O’Keefe left the court docket along with his legal professionals, telling reporters he’ll make an announcement “after it is throughout”.
In the event you or somebody you realize is impacted by sexual assault, home or household violence, name 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or go to 1800RESPECT.org.au.
In the event you want assist in a disaster, name Lifeline on 13 11 14. For additional details about despair contact beyondblue on 1300224636 or speak to your GP, native well being skilled or somebody you belief.
