Home and Away star Orpheus Pledger facing more time behind bars after violent assault on woman
A former Home and Away star who violently attacked a woman before eluding police for three days faces a longer jail sentence.
Orpheus Pledger, 31, will be sentenced in Melbourne District Court on Wednesday after pleading guilty to repeatedly assaulting the woman.
Shortly after midnight on March 1, Pledger kicked and punched the victim in the face after she raised concerns about his drug use and deteriorating mental health.
Former soap star Orpheus Pledger (pictured) faces jail for repeatedly assaulting woman
Pledger was arrested but released on bail on April 22 on the condition that he undergo a court-ordered mental health assessment
On March 25, at approximately 1:35 a.m., he attacked the same woman, pulling her hair and stamping on her face.
When the victim arrived at the house, he called 911. At 1:50 a.m., police arrived at the house and found her lying on the floor in agony.
She was taken to hospital with multiple bruises and cuts to her face and neck, the marks matching the sole of Pledger’s shoe.
The 31-year-old was arrested but released on bail on April 22 on condition he undergo a court-ordered mental health assessment.
The next morning he was released from the hospital and a warrant was issued for his arrest, but he managed to evade police for three days before being remanded in custody.
Pledger, who appeared on Home and Away between 2016 and 2019, has already served 96 days in custody, but prosecutors are pushing for a longer jail term.
Judge Justin Foster on Monday ordered Pledger to undergo a series of mental health tests and take a measure to enable him to serve the sentence.