Sentence delay for ex-Home and Away star over assault

A former Home and Away star who violently attacked a woman and then evaded police for days will have to wait another six weeks to be sentenced.

Orpheus Pledger, 31, was brought from custody to Melbourne Magistrates Court this morning for his sentencing hearing.

But Magistrate Justin Foster adjourned it to August, noting Corrections Victoria needed more time to complete a more in-depth report on Pledger’s mental health and drug issues.

Foster said the offending was serious so he needed to understand whether Pledger was in a drug-induced psychosis or experiencing other mental health issues at the time of the assaults.

Pledger, who appeared on Home and Away between 2016 and 2019, remained silent during the brief hearing 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 declining mental health.

He then attacked the same woman about 1.35am on March 25, dragging her by the hair and stomping on her face.

The victim had called triple zero when he arrived at the property and police reached the house at 1.50am to find her lying on the floor in pain.

She was taken to hospital with multiple bruises and cuts to her face and neck, with the marks matching the sole of Pledger’s shoe.

The 31-year-old was arrested but bailed on April 22 on the condition he undergo a court-ordered mental health assessment.

He absconded from the hospital the next morning and a warrant was issued for his arrest, but he evaded police for three days before he was remanded in custody again.

Pledger has already served 96 days of pre-sentence detention but prosecutors are pushing for more jail time.

His lawyer Jasper MacCuspie today said he would lodge a bail application if the magistrate wanted to wait another six weeks to sentence, saying it was prejudicial against his client.

“He ought to have been released from custody today, having done enough time,” MacCuspie said.

Foster said he would hear a bail application if required, but noted he was still undecided on whether Pledger had served enough jail time.

Pledger will make an application for bail this afternoon ahead of his sentence on August 16.