Orpheus Pledger, star of Home and Away, is accused of grabbing a woman from behind, pushing her to the ground, and stomping on her skull.
The actor, who played Mason Morgan in the enduring serial drama, was reportedly led by police on Tuesday at around 3.30 in the morning from the jail to Royal Melbourne Hospital, which is close to the city’s central business district, for a mental health evaluation.
However, a court was informed that by roughly 9.10am, he had still not seen a doctor. Then, it is said that he simply stood up and left, violating his bail requirements.
Police have reportedly filed an arrest warrant for him and are now on a manhunt for him.
The victim, who is anonymous for legal reasons, was allegedly assaulted by Pledger nine times since 2021. The court heard that Pledger was detained the day following this incident.
Pledger, 30, is accused of seizing the woman’s hair, pushing her to the ground, and then stomping on her head in security camera footage of the incident.
The mental health evaluation, according to Pledger’s attorneys, could “mitigate future risks to the community” and ensure that the accused gets the care “experts say he needs.”
Along with his siblings Tori (Penny McNamee), Brody (Jackson Heywood), and Justin (James Stewart), the actor’s character, Mason, arrived at Summer Bay.
Mason found himself caught in the line of fire during a gun-wielding group of enigmatic guys who assaulted the hospital.
It was the reason he died.
“I’m so appreciative of all that I got to do, all that I got to see, all that I got to learn, and all that I got to experience over those almost four years,” Orpheus said to Now To Love after leaving the soap opera.
“Look, that was an incredible journey—I mean, this is huge, life-changing stuff.” Nothing about it would be taken back, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. When I think back on it, I simply think, “Wow, I had some incredible times.”
The choice was made in unison. It was between me organising what was going to happen [with my career] and the production advancing and setting stories. I’m just appreciative that I extended my contract by eight months after signing up for three years! It is a boon in and of itself.
“It was a clever choice because, at this point, it’s best for the show.”
Representatives of Orpheus Pledger have been contacted by Metro.co.uk for comment.
