Andrew O’Keefe wants to retrain to become a lawyer, after allegedly failing drug test

Andrew O’Keefe is hoping to retrain to become a lawyer as he tries to get his life ‘back on track’ despite allegedly failing a drug test.

The former Deal or No Deal host faced Waverley Local Court, in Sydney‘s east, on Thursday afternoon, where his lawyer spoke of his desire to reintegrate back into society.

O’Keefe was accused of breaching his bail conditions as he awaits trial on charges of choking and assaulting a woman in January this year, but on Thursday avoided jail.

The fallen TV star allegedly tested positive for methamphetamines and cocaine after police allegedly found a man carrying drugs leaving O’Keefe’s Vaucluse home. 

Andrew O’Keefe is hoping to study to become a lawyer as he tries to get his life ‘back on track’ despite allegedly failing a drug test

His lawyer, Sebastian De Brennan, argued O’Keefe had been abstinent since leaving a rehabilitation facility three weeks ago where he was given a glowing report – his 10th stint in a facility of its kind.

‘He’s tried to get back on track, his partner has let him rekindle his relationship with his children,’ Mr De Brennan told the court. 

He said O’Keefe wants to be a lawyer, and hopes to retrain in the profession again after previously being accredited years ago. 

‘He is a man that is determined not only to rehabilitate but to reintegrate,’ Mr De Brennan said. 

The 51-year-old had followed in the legal footsteps of his father, former Supreme Court judge Barry O’Keefe, in his younger years – before switching to a career in television.

He had been an accredited intellectual property lawyer, and earlier said he’d loved how ‘stimulating’ the law profession was.

The former Deal or No Deal host faced Waverley Local Court, in Sydney’s east, on Thursday afternoon, where his lawyer spoke of his desire to reintegrate back into society

‘I really enjoyed the camaraderie of smart, motivated and by-and-large ethical people, all working towards a defined goal,’ he told Lawyers Weekly in 2012.

‘TV executives don’t always have the best interests of performers at heart. I found the law a much more nurturing environment.’

During O’Keefe’s court appearance on Thursday, his lawyer had argued there was a lack of information about the police procedure involved in the oral swab test used to check O’Keefe for drugs.

Mr De Brennan said there was a chance the swab may have been contaminated.

Outside court, O’Keefe added: ‘That’s what we discovered in court today. There was a high probability of contempt, erm, contamination (to the sample).’

The court had earlier heard police were monitoring O’Keefe’s home when they spotted another man leaving the house.

O’Keefe had worked as an intellectual property lawyer before switching to a career in TV

The man was quickly searched by police who allegedly found drugs on him. 

The court heard police then gave O’Keefe an oral swab, which returned a positive result.

O’Keefe was granted bail and will next face court on December 14.

While on bail, he must remain of good behaviour, stay at his Vaucluse address and attend weekly appointments with his psychiatrist and psychologist. 

The ex-TV star must also not leave NSW, go near an airport and can only take medication prescribed by his doctor.

The judge also ordered he stay away from alcohol and drugs and not enter any place where alcohol is sold. 

He will also be subject to weekly drug tests. 

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Andrew O’Keefe was granted bail on Thursday after allegedly failing a drug test  (O’Keefe is pictured with his ex-wife Eleanor in 2005)