Former Home and Away star Orpheus Pledger will plead guilty to the alleged assault of a woman after she allegedly escaped police, sparking a three-day manhunt.
Pledger’s lawyer Jasper MacCuspie said his client planned to plead guilty to the charges at a hearing in 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 is believed to have escaped a court-ordered medical assessment at the Royal Melbourne Hospital in the early hours of April 23.
Former Home and Away star Orpheus Pledger (pictured) will plead guilty to the alleged assault of a woman after she allegedly escaped police, sparking a three-day manhunt
Orpheus Pledger’s lawyer said his client planned to plead guilty to the charges during a hearing in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Friday
He was escorted from prison to hospital by police at around 3.30am, but by 9.10am he had still not been seen by a doctor.
Pledger allegedly got up and walked out, in violation of his prison sentences.
His disappearance sparked a hectic three-day manhunt during which police issued a public appeal. He was arrested and returned to prison two days later.
Mr MacCuspie told the court that at no time had the court or police informed him that his client was back in custody.
“In some ways it’s fortunate that the media reported it…. because I would have had no idea where he was,” he told the court on Friday.
“It’s a little concerning from our perspective.”
Police prosecutor Olivia Sparrow recommended that Pledger remain in custody in court last month because he posed an “unacceptable risk” to the community while he was homeless and reportedly had drug and mental health problems.
Ms Sparrow had previously raised concerns about the mental health assessment order because hospital staff cannot physically stop him from leaving.
Magistrate Justin Foster also raised concerns about the order as it meant Pledger could leave without being apprehended.
Pledger played Mason Morgan on Home and Away for 339 episodes from 2016 to 2019, when his character was killed off. He also appeared on SAS Australia in 2022
“Clinically, he could take his medications and whatever treatment he needs and show improvement. Then he can be released into the community,” he said.
‘The risk that something else will happen and have serious consequences is striking.’
Pledger played Mason Morgan on the soap for 339 episodes from 2016 to 2019, when his character was killed off.
He also appeared in Neighbors as Noah Parkin in 2011 and in 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 must appear in court again on July 11.