November 12th 2024.
A well-known actor from the popular show Home and Away found himself in a troubling situation when he was sentenced to seven months in prison for assaulting a woman. However, after appealing his sentence, he was spared from serving more time behind bars.
Orpheus Pledger, 31, appeared before the Victorian County Court today to plead his case and successfully had his sentence reduced. This came after he had initially pleaded guilty to assaulting a woman on two separate occasions in Melbourne in March.
The first incident occurred when the victim expressed concerns about Pledger's drug use and deteriorating mental health. In response, he kicked and punched her in the face. Later on, he attacked her again by dragging her by the hair and stomping on her face while she was on the ground.
Following his arrest, Pledger was released on bail on the condition that he undergo a mental health assessment. However, he absconded from the hospital the next day, leading to a warrant being issued for his arrest. For three days, he was on the run from the police before being remanded in custody again.
In August, Magistrate Justin Foster sentenced Pledger to jail, acknowledging his struggles with drugs but stating that it was not an excuse for his violent behavior. The magistrate also expressed concerns about Pledger's lack of insight into his actions.
During his appeal, Pledger's lawyer, Jonathan Barrera, admitted that his client still couldn't explain why he attacked the woman but emphasized that he had shown remorse since then. Barrera also argued that Pledger's early guilty plea, limited criminal history, and potential for rehabilitation should be taken into consideration for a lighter sentence.
Ultimately, the judge agreed with Barrera's arguments and decided to re-sentence Pledger to the 97 days he had already served in jail, along with a two-year community corrections order. As part of the order, Pledger will need to complete 150 hours of unpaid community work and receive treatment for drug abuse and mental health issues.
Despite his release, the judge made it clear that Pledger's actions were unacceptable and that he needed to take responsibility for his actions. He also expressed concern over Pledger's behavior during his bail review meetings, where he missed psychiatric appointments and altered his medication without consulting a doctor.
However, the judge also acknowledged that Pledger was still a young man with potential for rehabilitation, and therefore, deserved a chance to turn his life around.
Upon hearing his sentence, Pledger appeared shocked but relieved that he would not be returning to prison. It is essential for individuals to seek support in cases like this, and the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT is always available.
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