Former Home and Away star walks free from court after stomping on woman’s head
Actor Orpheus Pledger has been released on bail from Melbourne Magistrates’ Court after his lawyer argued his time behind bars was sufficient punishment.
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Former Home and Away star Orpheus Pledger has walked free after spending just 96 days in a jail cell for a vicious attack on a woman.
The 31-year-old actor was released on bail from Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday after his lawyer argued his time behind bars was sufficient punishment.
Pledger was due to be sentenced, but magistrate Justin Foster adjourned the hearing for six weeks to allow an extended corrections order assessment to take place.
The move prompted defence lawyer Jasper MacCuspie to launch a bail application, arguing his client was at risk of spending more time behind bars than any sentence imposed.
“Further time in custody is not warranted,” Mr MacCuspie said.
The TV soap actor has pleaded guilty to assault and recklessly causing injury with a camera catching the horrifying moment he approached his victim from behind and pulled her to the ground by her hair, before stomping on her head about 1.35am on March 25.
So severe were the blows to the head, the diamond pattern on the sole of his shoes became imprinted on the side of the woman’s face.
Police had rushed to her inner north Melbourne home after she rang triple-0 in fear of her life, with the line disconnecting after she said “he’s coming”.
Officers found the injured woman lying on the floor in pain, while Pledger had fled. She was taken to hospital for treatment of her extensive head injuries.
The victim told police she believed Pledger “will eventually kill her” with eight other incidents reported in the three years prior.
Pledger was arrested the next day and despite concerns he would reoffend, he was later bailed on strict conditions including not to attend the woman’s home, which he immediately breached.
Mr MacCuspie said his client is in a much better position now than when he was initially released on bail in April.
He said his client’s mental health had stabilised since being in custody, where he had also been off illicit substances.
Mr Foster said it was a complex case with it unclear if Pledger’s offending is related to drug-induced psychosis or mental health.
He needed the corrections assessment to determine if Pledger should be locked up longer, Mr Foster said.
But he agreed to give him another chance on bail on the condition he move to Wahgunyah on the Victorian-NSW border to live with his father – a long way away from the victim.
He must also abide by a 11pm-6am curfew.
Pledger, dressed in a prison-issued grey tracksuit sweater and pants, did not say anything as he left court.
He was escorted by a man believed to be his brother, Orien, to a nearby waiting car before they drove off.
Pledger is most famous for his role as aspiring doctor Mason Morgan on Home and Away from 2016 to 2019.
He was also a child actor on The Secret Life of Us and played Noah Parkin on Neighbours in 2011.
On Monday, the court heard he descended into a toxic spiral of drugs and violence after missing out on a role in US drama series, The 100.
He will return to court on August 16 for sentencing.
Originally published as Former Home and Away star walks free from court after stomping on woman’s head
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