Home And Away star Orpheus Pledger has pleaded guilty to beating a woman in an attack that sparked a manhunt.
The 31-year-old actor was caught on CCTV dragging a woman by her hair before then stamping on her head. The disgraced star, who played Mason Morgan on the Aussie soap, was bailed on April 22 on the condition that he had a court ordered mental health check.
However he escaped from the hospital, causing a massive manhunt across his native Australia. A warrant was issued for his arrest, and he was caught three days later.
READ MORE: Home & Away star arrested after manhunt for ‘stomping on woman’s head’
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Orpheus, who also had a smaller role in Neighbours in 2011, was first arrested in Melbourne after CCTV footage emerged of the attack. He could be seen dragging a woman backwards by her hair.
(Image: Instagram)
He then pushed her to the ground and stomped on her. The victim was left with bruising to her head and face, according to news.com.au.
Police arrived at the scene at shortly after 1am after an emergency call was made to them and quickly ended. According to officers, they heard the words “he’s coming” before the call was ended.
Orpheus was arrested later that day and was placed in pre-sentence custody. Now, a few months later, he has pleaded guilty to the assault.
(Image: Victoria Police)
According to his lawyer Jasper MacCuspie, the once glowing soap star’s life has spiralled due to mental health and drug issues, after he was snubbed for a role in huge US drama The 100. MacCuspie reportedly claims the actor started to use Meth in his mid to late 20s but it never became an addiction.
But after he was rejected by casting directors, his drug habit worsened. MacCuspie also said the 94-day pre-sentence custody ordered was “sufficient”, and that Orpheus should instead be handed a community corrections order.
(Image: WireImage)
This was agreed upon. The prosecution, however, argued that the “nature and gravity of the offending…is a serious incident”.
Magistrate Justin Foster said: “At the moment the court doesn’t know if it’s a mental health or drug issue.” The case was adjourned for sentencing until July 3.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
