A former cast member of Home and Away has allegedly assaulted his mother in the past; in court, it was discovered that he is accused of stamping on her head.
Orpheus Pledger, 30, appeared in Melbourne Magistrates Court on Monday over video connection. He is accused of assaulting someone on March 26 in the inner suburb of Northcote.
Pledger, who portrayed Mason Morgan in 339 episodes of the serial opera from 2016 to 2019, requested release after being placed under remand in detention following his arrest over a month prior.
According to security footage, Pledger threw his mother to the ground, grabbed her by the hair, and then stomped on her head.
The former TV personality remained silent while Olivia Sparrow, the police prosecutor, and Jasper MacCuspie, Pledger’s defense attorney, submitted arguments on Pledger’s eligibility for bail.
According to testimony given in court, Pledger’s mother called Triple Zero to alert authorities to what appeared to be a mental health crisis.
The court was informed that she was heard stating, “He’s coming,” just before the line ended.
The assault on March 25 allegedly left Pledger’s mother with multiple serious injuries, including hematomas to her forehead, cuts to her cheek, and bruises to her neck, back of her hand, and cheek.
The court was informed that she ‘believes he will eventually kill her’ and is in favor of the police responding to the reported assaults.
Ms. Sparrow suggested that Pledger stay in detention because, as a homeless person with reported drug and mental health problems, he poses a “unacceptable risk” to the community.
Because staff cannot physically stop him from leaving, she also contested an order for an in-patient mental health examination that was imposed during a bail hearing last week.
Justin Foster, the presiding magistrate, concurred but pointed out that “he clearly needs help.”
Clinically, he may start taking his medications and receiving the necessary care and make progress. Then, he argued, he can be allowed to return to the community.
“There is a startling chance that something more could occur and have disastrous results.”
There is a “difficult balancing act” between ensuring Pledger receives therapy and the community’s safety, Mr. MacCuspie told the court.
He acknowledged that his client would probably spend some time in jail if there was video of the purported incident.
Pledger told the court that only mental health care could “break the cycle” he is in.
“A stint behind bars without supports won’t end that cycle,” Mr. MacCuspie informed the court.
He stated that ‘experienced staff in the hospital system’ offered the ‘greatest opportunity’ to support Pledger.
Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health psychologist Sam Pang expressed his “strong belief that (Pledger) be admitted and spend substantial time at the hospital” in a letter to the defense attorney.
Following the assessment order, personnel may hold a pledger against their will, the court heard.
Judge Foster released Pledger on bond so he could be evaluated.
“Because (Pledger) cannot be detained on remand indefinitely, he will be involuntarily assessed with consideration for the victim’s safety,” he declared.
Nonetheless, Pledger will return to court on Tuesday after the evaluation to discuss the terms of his bond.
He will appear in court by video link if he receives treatment; if not, he will be brought in person.
Pledger began his acting career in 2001, when he made his debut in the Network Ten soap opera The Secret Life of Us, at the age of eight.
First big break came in the mid-2000s teen drama Silversun. He then starred as Noah Parkin, a ‘free-spirited teen who would set some hearts on fire’, on 36 episodes of Neighbours.
The 24-year-old encouraged his admirers to vote for him in Cleo’s Bachelor of the Year, adding he would be “really pleased if I was to win,” in 2018, when he was at the height of his Home and Away stardom.
After his character was murdered off the show, he ceased performing.
In 2020, he made a comeback to the big screen with The Full Monty, and in 2022, he abruptly left SAS Australia after refusing to perform menial jobs.
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