Home and Away star accused of "stomping" on woman's head
A former Home and Away star, who has been accused of "stomping" on a woman's head during a violent altercation, was cast to appear on Seven's reality show SAS while battling “declining mental health and escalating drug use” according to court documents.
Orpheus Pledger has been accused of the violent alleged assault that took place on March 25th, and was arrested on Thursday following a three-day manhunt by police after he absconded from a Melbourne hospital on Tuesday while on remand.
At a bail application that lasted two days, the court heard details of Pledger's years-long deterioration of his mental health, in addition to his alleged prolonged and increasing drug use.
A police statement submitted to the court alleged that Pledger was dealing with “declining mental health and escalating drug use” between February 2021 and his alleged attack in March this year.
Court documents also alleged that Pledger has been “refusing to engage with mental health services and appears to spend his Centrelink payments on drugs” and had been known to police for many years.
During a difficult period with his mental health and drug use, Pledger was cast on Seven's reality show SAS, before he abruptly quit after just two episodes over concerns of his "erratic behaviour".
At the bail application, documents alleged the accused is at an “extreme risk of further assaulting” the alleged victim, although Pledger’s lawyer Jasper MacCuspie argued his client’s mental health would deteriorate if he were to remain in custody.
Pledger’s matter will be heard again by the Melbourne Magistrates Court in May, where he will face the charges of assault.
Image credits: Seven