Former Home and Away star Orpheus Pledger will plead guilty to allegedly assaulting a woman after allegedly fleeing police and sparking a three-day manhunt.
Pledger’s lawyer, Jasper MacCuspie, said his client intended to plead guilty to the charges during a hearing at the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Friday.
The 30-year-old’s arrest came after footage emerged of the actor allegedly dragging a woman to the ground by her hair before stomping on her head.
Pledger allegedly escaped a court-ordered medical assessment at the Royal Melbourne Hospital during the early hours of April 23.
Former Home and Away star Orpheus Pledger (pictured) will plead guilty to allegedly assaulting a woman after allegedly fleeing police and sparking a three-day manhunt.
Orpheus Pledger’s lawyer said his client intended to plead guilty to the charges during a hearing in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Friday.
Police escorted him from the jail to the hospital around 3:30 a.m., but by 9:10 a.m. he still had not been seen by a doctor.
Pledger allegedly got up and left, violating the conditions of his jail.
His disappearance sparked a frantic three-day manhunt and police issued a public appeal. He was arrested and returned to jail two days later.
MacCuspie told the court that at “no point” was he informed by the court or police that his client was back in custody.
‘In a way it was fortunate that the media reported on it…. “Because I had no idea where I was,” he told the court on Friday.
“It’s a little worrying from our perspective.”
Police prosecutor Olivia Sparrow recommended to the court last month that Pledger remain in custody because he posed an “unacceptable risk” to the community while he was homeless and allegedly suffering from mental health and drug problems.
Sparrow had previously expressed concern about the mental health evaluation order, as hospital staff cannot physically stop him from leaving.
Magistrate Justin Foster also expressed concern about the order as it meant Pledger could leave without being detained.
Pledger played Mason Morgan on Home and Away for 339 episodes from 2016 to 2019, when his character was killed off. He also appeared in SAS Australia in 2022.
‘Clinically, you could take your medications and any treatment you need and show improvement. Then he can be released into the community,’ he stated.
“The risk of something else happening and having dire consequences is staggering.”
Pledger played Mason Morgan on the soap for 339 episodes from 2016 to 2019, when his character was killed off.
He also appeared on Neighbors as Noah Parkin in 2011 and the third season of SAS Australia in 2022 before deciding to leave the show.
Pledger has been in custody since his arrest on March 27.
He is scheduled to return to court on July 11.
