Melbourne, Australia – Former “Home and Away” star Orpheus Pledger faces accusations of assaulting a woman in Melbourne, a claim supported by newly-released CCTV footage capturing the alleged incident. Pledger failed to attend a bail hearing in court, with reports indicating he left a hospital where he was undergoing medical checks ordered by the court.
Pledger’s absence led to a delay in the hearing, rescheduled for the following day when he was brought to the hospital by police for a mental health evaluation. Detective Senior Constable Rhys Phillips expressed concerns about Pledger’s potential danger when unwell.
The actor was supposed to appear remotely before the Melbourne Magistrates Court for a bail application. He has been in custody since bail was denied on March 27, facing charges of injury and unlawful assault. Pledger’s lawyer disclosed that the actor had left the hospital where he was being evaluated involuntarily.
Details of the alleged assault on March 25 surfaced when police responded to an early morning call from a suburban Melbourne residence. The woman involved sustained injuries and was taken to the hospital for treatment. Magistrate Justin Foster commented on the severity of the assault, alluding to the CCTV footage shown in court.
Footage allegedly depicts Pledger assaulting the woman, leading to speculation that the bruises on her face correspond to the soles of his shoes. Discussions during the bail application centered on public safety, the victim’s well-being, and Pledger’s mental health and substance abuse issues.
Concerns over Pledger’s potential to harm the victim further were raised in court documents, while his lawyer argued for his mental health deteriorating if kept in custody. Despite attempts to contact the hospital to expedite Pledger’s treatment, his bail was revoked, with a scheduled court appearance on May 10.
Pledger’s career, which began at a young age in shows like “The Secret Life of Us” and “Neighbours,” saw him rise to fame on “Home and Away” from 2016 to 2019. More recently, his appearance on “SAS Australia” in 2022 garnered attention for his erratic behavior, leading to his exit from the show.