July 1st 2024.
A former star from the popular TV show Home and Away has found himself in hot water after engaging in violent behavior towards a woman. Orpheus Pledger, 31, appeared before Melbourne Magistrates Court through a video link today and admitted to dragging the woman by her hair and stomping on her head. This incident took place in March and Pledger has been on the run from the police for three days before finally being arrested on April 25th.
Initially, Pledger was granted bail on the condition that he undergo a mental health assessment. However, he absconded from the hospital the very next morning. A warrant was issued for his arrest and he continued to avoid the authorities until he was finally remanded in custody on April 25th. Pledger, who played a role in Home and Away from 2016 to 2019, remained silent as the details of his violent actions were read in court.
According to reports, the first incident occurred on March 1st around midnight when Pledger assaulted the victim, kicking and punching her in the face. This was in response to her expressing concerns about his drug use and declining mental health. The second incident took place on March 25th at around 1:35 am when Pledger once again attacked the same woman, this time dragging her by her hair and stomping on her face.
The victim had called the police when Pledger arrived at her property and they reached the scene at 1:50 am. She was found lying on the floor in pain and was taken to the hospital with bruises and cuts on her face and neck that matched the sole of Pledger's shoe. In court, Pledger's lawyer Jasper MacCuspie acknowledged the seriousness of the assaults but stated that they were "profoundly mundane" for the magistrates court.
MacCuspie also mentioned that there were no excuses for Pledger's actions, but his mental health had deteriorated and his use of methamphetamine had increased after he was rejected for a role in the US television series The 100. He also added that Pledger's lack of work had put a strain on his relationship with the victim and ultimately led to these violent outbursts. "He certainly feels terrible about what has happened and the impact it has had on him," MacCuspie told the court.
Pledger has already spent 94 days in pre-sentence detention and has faced extensive media scrutiny for his crimes. Therefore, MacCuspie argued that specific deterrence was not as relevant in this case. However, Acting Sergeant Fionnula Kennedy argued that the assaults were serious and not trivial, and it was within the magistrate's discretion to sentence Pledger to more jail time.
In the end, Magistrate Justin Foster ordered Pledger to undergo mental health assessments and a community corrections order. He is expected to be sentenced on Wednesday. In the meantime, support is available for those affected by sexual assault and domestic violence through the National Sexual Assault, Domestic, and Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT. And for those in immediate danger, please call Triple Zero.
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