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Ex-star O'Keefe admits drug possession after overdose

Duncan MurrayAAP
Andrew O'Keefe has faced court via video link after a near-fatal heroin overdose. (Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS)
Camera IconAndrew O'Keefe has faced court via video link after a near-fatal heroin overdose. (Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS) Credit: AAP

Troubled TV star Andrew O'Keefe will plead guilty to a string of charges, including drug possession, after being arrested following a near-fatal heroin overdose.

The 53-year-old's lawyers told Waverley Local Court on Thursday that he intends to enter pleas of guilty to the drug charges as well as separate charges of trespassing and breaching a court order relating to an incident in July.

Prosecutors have agreed to withdraw an additional charge of intimidation on condition of the pleas, the court was told.

O'Keefe appeared in court via a video link from jail.

The former game show host had his bail revoked in September, days after experiencing a reported overdose.

Emergency services responded to an incident at a home in Sydney's eastern suburbs after which police searched a nearby car and found methamphetamine in his possession.

The ex-TV star had been on bail at the time after allegedly breaching an AVO, trespassing and intimidating a man in Sydney's eastern suburbs in July.

O'Keefe's lawyer Evan James told the court he would not be making a release appeal as a sign of his client's "remorse and contrition", although he noted a request for him to enter a drug rehabilitation program was being considered.

But Magistrate Jacqueline Milledge struck an unsympathetic tone, pointing to his now lengthy criminal record and previous breaches of court-ordered conditions.

"He's done that before," she said.

"He's sorry; I understand."

O'Keefe was a Seven presenter for more than 15 years, most notably hosting game show Deal or No Deal and breakfast program Weekend Sunrise.

He was convicted of domestic violence offences in January and had an appeal dismissed earlier in September.

An appeal against other drug possession charges was upheld and the conviction quashed.

The court is due to sentence O'Keefe later on Thursday.

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