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- Henry Moore, Live Blog Reporter
FORMER Home and Away star Orpheus Pledger has been arrested after sparking a three-day manhunt.
TheAustralianactor, 30,allegedly stomped on a woman's headin a brutal assault as cops detained him earlier this week before he managed to escape and go on the run.
Victoria Policesaid he had been found and taken into custody late Thursday night local time.
Chilling CCTV footagereleased on Tuesday, shows an unnamed woman being grabbed from behind by herhairas she is pulled to the ground.
The attack, allegedly carried out by Pledger, happens just off camera but an eerie shadow appears to show him stomping on the female victim's head.
Follow our live blog below for the latest news and updates...
25th Apr 2024, 15:30By Joel Kulasingham
Who did Orpheus Pledger play in Home and Away?
The former child star played Mason Morgan on the hitAussie soap.
He appeared in 339 episodes between the years of 2016 and 2019.
The actor chose to leave the role in 2019 and was killed off in the season finale at the end of that year.
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25th Apr 2024, 15:00By Joel Kulasingham
Magistrate expressed frustration in court after Pledger escaped
Magistrate Justin Foster was reportedly frustrated when Pledger failed to show up to his bail hearing on Tuesday after he escaped from hospital during a court-ordered medical assessment.
Foster said he would not grant a similar order again after he "bent over backwards to try and offer someone mental health treatment as they require".
Foster also expressed concern that a mental health patient had been left untreated and unseen for so many hours.
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25th Apr 2024, 14:30By Joel Kulasingham
Police warned that Pledger was 'a danger' before he escaped
During a bail hearing on Monday, police reportedly protested arguments made by Orpheus Pledger's lawyer for him to be moved to a treatment facility.
The actor's lawyer, Matthew MacCuspie, argued that Pledger's mental health was at risk whilst he remained behind bars.
Police protested those claims, citing concerns about security and risk of absconding. Detective Senior Constable Rhys Phillips reportedly said: “When he is unwell, he is a danger.”
However, a magistrate agreed for Pledger to undergo involuntary inpatient mental health care under police escort.
Pledger is believed to have escaped while waiting to receive treatment at Royal Melbourne Hospital, sparking a manhunt by police.
Police confirmed he was found and taken into custody on Thursday.
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25th Apr 2024, 14:00By Joel Kulasingham
Who is Orpheus Pledger?
Orpheus Pledger is a former child star who played Mason Morgan on theAussie soapHome and Away for 339 episodes between 2016 and 2019.
Pledger shot to stardom as a child actor at just eight years old after his role in the kids series Sliversun.
He later joined the cast ofNeighboursas Noah Parkin in 2011 before appearing in Home and Away.
The actor chose to leave the role in 2019 and was killed off in the season finale in November.
In February 2022, he starred in season three of SAS Australia but voluntarily withdrew after just two days.
He left during a psychological evaluation withAnt Middletonand Doctor Dan where they discussed his erratic behaviour.
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25th Apr 2024, 13:30By Joel Kulasingham
Pledger due in court in May
Orpheus Pledger is scheduled to appear in Melbourne Magistrates' Court on May 10 for allegedly assaulting a woman.
The former Home and Away star is back in custody after reportedly absconding from Royal Melbourne Hospital during a court-ordered medical assessment on Monday, breaching his bail conditions and sparking a three-day manhunt.
Police said he was found and arrested on Thursday night.
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25th Apr 2024, 13:00By Joel Kulasingham
Victim thought Pledger would 'eventually kill her'
Pledger's alleged victim said in court that she believed he would "eventually kill her" during the attack.
The Australian actor allegedly dragged the woman to the ground and stomped on her head.
See AlsoCast of 13 Going On 30 now from divorce to terrifying brain tumourHere are the states where 2020 Trump electors have been chargedHow one Wisconsin man plagued election offices and stoked mistrustA Texas reporter busted for asking questions asks SCOTUS to reject the criminalization of journalismShe suffered severe injuries including a haematoma on her head, cuts to her cheek and bruises.
Police have suggested the attack left marks on her face that showed a "similar resemblance" to the pattern on the sole of Vans trainers - which Pledger owned.
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25th Apr 2024, 13:00By Joel Kulasingham
Victim thought Pledger would 'eventually kill her'
Pledger's alleged victim said in court that she believed he would "eventually kill her" during the attack.
The Australian actor allegedly dragged the woman to the ground and stomped on her head.
She suffered severe injuries including a haematoma on her head, cuts to her cheek and bruises.
Police have suggested the attack left marks on her face that showed a "similar resemblance" to the pattern on the sole of Vans trainers - which Pledger owned.
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25th Apr 2024, 12:30By Joel Kulasingham
Harrowing CCTV images of Pledger's alleged attack
CCTV footage released by the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Tuesday shows the moment Orpheus Pledger allegedly dragged a woman to the ground before stomping on her head.
The clip shows an unnamed woman being grabbed from behind by her hair as she is pulled to the ground.
The attack allegedly carried out by Pledger happens just off camera but an eerie shadow appears to show him stomping on the female victim's head.
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25th Apr 2024, 12:00By Joel Kulasingham
Timeline of three-day manhunt for Orpheus Pledger
- Pledger was first arrested on March 25 for allegedly assaulting a woman and put into a pre-trial detention.
- Following his arrest, a magistrate agreed for Pledger to undergo involuntary inpatient mental health care under police escort.
- Pledger is believed to have walked out of the Royal Melbourne Hospital at 6.10pm on Monday after waiting six hours for an appointment, in breach of his bail conditions.
- He was due to face court on Tuesday but failed to show, with his lawyer saying he had escaped.
- On Wednesday police issued an arrest warrant for the actor.
- Victorian Police confirmed he had been found and taken into custody on Thursday.
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25th Apr 2024, 11:30By Joel Kulasingham
How did Orpheus Pledger escape?
Following Pledger's initial arrest a magistrate agreed for the actor to undergo involuntary inpatient mental health care under police escort.
The 30-year-old is believed to have got up and walked out of the RoyalMelbourneHospital at 6.10pm on Monday after waiting six hours for his appointment, in breach of his bail conditions.
It is unclear how Pledger managed to escape while under police watch.
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25th Apr 2024, 11:00By Joel Kulasingham
Actor arrested after three-day manhunt
Former Home and Away star Orpheus Pledger has been arrested after a three-day manhunt, Victorian Police confirmed.
The Australian actor allegedly stomped on a woman's head in a brutal assault before cops detained him for the first time before he managed to go on the run.
He was first arrested on March 25 and put into pre-trial detention, but managed to escape and was on run after fleeing the RoyalMelbourneHospital where he was being held under police guard.
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25th Apr 2024, 10:30By Joel Kulasingham
Pledger struggled since leaving Home and Away
Orpheus Pledger has been reportedly showing signs of "problematic behaviour" since leaving Home and Away in 2019.
The former child star played Mason Morgan on the hit Aussie soap, appearing in 339 episodes between 2016 and 2019.
The Daily Mail Australia reports that an anonymous source close to Pledger says the actor has been struggling since leaving the show.
"Orpheus has been exerting this problematic behaviour for a while, since he relocated back to Melbourne after his character was killed off," the source said.
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25th Apr 2024, 10:00By Henry Moore
Who to contact
Police are searching for actor Orpheus Pledger after he failed to attend Melbourne Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
The actor has been accused of accused of assaulting a woman.
Anyone with other information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a confidential report atwww.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
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25th Apr 2024, 09:30By Henry Moore
Orpheus Pledger pictured
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25th Apr 2024, 08:30By Henry Moore
Actor quit SAS: Who Dares Wins
Orpheus Pledger appeared in the third series of SAS Australia: Who Dares Wins, but his time on the show was short-lived.
The actor quit the show after two days when hosts became concerned about his “erratic behaviour” around the camp.
See AlsoCelebrity handbag designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbagsOrpheus also starred in Neighbours in 2011 before joining the cast of Home and Away in 2016.
He would appear in the soap for three years.
Earlier in his career, the actor had stints in Silversun and CrashBurn.
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25th Apr 2024, 08:00By Henry Moore
Star first arrested in 2021
Orpheus Pledger was previously arrested on drug charges in 2021 after he was found carrying crystal meth and valium.
He was handed a good behaviour order for six months, made to complete a drug awareness course plus pay a £78 fine ($150AUD).
He was also spared a criminal record and did not appear in court to face the charges.
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25th Apr 2024, 07:30By Henry Moore
Actor's manager reacts to arrest warrant
Orpheus Pledger’s manager, Craig McMahon, told the Sydney Morning Herald that he had not been in contact with his client this week.
McMahon added that he was shocked by the assault allegations and that Pledger had been struggling with mental health issues.
“We are absolutely devastated. This is a young man. It’s awful on every account for everyone involved,” he told the newspaper.
“I have no doubt Orpheus has been completely let down by the system, and I can only imagine how many other people out there needing help – and needing help desperately – are not getting it.”
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25th Apr 2024, 07:00By Henry Moore
Pledger's mental health struggles
Following his initial arrest, Orpheus Pledger's lawyer, Matthew MacCuspie, argued that his mental health was at risk whilst he remained behind bars.
A magistrate then agreed for Pledger to undergo involuntary inpatient mental health care this week under police escort.
However, while waiting to be treated, the actor seemingly escaped RoyalMelbourneHospital while under police supervision.
Magistrate Justin Foster said he would not grant a similar order again after he "bent over backwards to try and offer someone mental health treatment as they require".
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25th Apr 2024, 06:30By Henry Moore
Who did Orpheus Pledger play in Home and Away?
The former child star played Mason Morgan on the hitAussie soap.
He appeared in 339 episodes between the years of 2016 and 2019.
The actor chose to leave the role in 2019 and was killed off in the season finale at the end of that year.
Copied
25th Apr 2024, 06:00By Joel Kulasingham
Police launch manhunt
Victoria Police have issued a warrant for the arrest of Home and Away star Orpheus Pledger.
The soap actor was due to attend Melbourne Magistrates Court on Tuesday after being accused of assaulting a woman.
Victoria Police have now issued an arrest warrant for the 30-year-old actor.
They said: "The 30-year-old is wanted on warrant in relation for failing to appear for an assault-related matter.
"He is known to frequent Northcote and surrounding areas."
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25th Apr 2024, 05:00By Joel Kulasingham
Manager’s comments on Pledger criticised
Orpheus Pledger’s manager has been criticised for sympathising with an alleged abuser on social media.
Craig McMahon told the Sydney Morning Herald that he was shocked by the assault allegations made against his client and brought up his mental health issues.
Many were furious with McMahon’s comments calling Pledger a “young man” and seemingly painting him as a victim.
“For the record Pledger is 30. I’d hardly call a violent 30 year old man ‘young’,” said one person on X.
“Craig McMahon, you *ARE* part of the problem, your comment is just sh*te,” said another. “This is NOT a women’s issue. This is 100% a men’s issue.”
“Just when will the message get through,” added another.
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25th Apr 2024, 04:00By Joel Kulasingham
Pledger’s manager shocked by assault allegations
Orpheus Pledger’s manager, Craig McMahon, told the Sydney Morning Herald that he had not been in contact with his client this week.
McMahon added that he was shocked by the assault allegations and that Pledger had been struggling with mental health issues.
“We are absolutely devastated. This is a young man. It’s awful on every account for everyone involved,” he told the newspaper.
“I have no doubt Orpheus has been completely let down by the system, and I can only imagine how many other people out there needing help – and needing help desperately – are not getting it.”
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25th Apr 2024, 02:00By Joel Kulasingham
Why wasn't Pledger in jail?
Pledger was arrested just days after the alleged assault in March.
His lawyer, Matthew MacCuspie, argued that Pledger's mental health was at risk whilst he remained behind bars.
A magistrate then agreed for Pledger to undergo involuntary inpatient mental health care this week under police escort.
He is believed to have got up and walked out of the hospital at 6.10pm after waiting six hours for his appointment - breaching his bail conditions.
It is unclear how Pledger managed to escape while under police watch.
His bail application was delayed until Tuesday and he was expected to appear via video link but could not be contacted.
Magistrate Justin Foster said he would not grant a similar order again after he "bent over backwards to try and offer someone mental health treatment as they require".
He also expressed concern that a mental health patient had been left untreated and unseen for so many hours.
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25th Apr 2024, 01:00By Joel Kulasingham
Pledger was arrested in 2021
Orpheus Pledger was reviously arrested on drug charges in 2021 after he was found carrying crystal meth and valium.
He was handed a good behaviour order for six months, made to complete a drug awareness course plus pay a £78 fine ($150AUD).
He was also spared a criminal record and did not appear in court to face the charges.
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24th Apr 2024, 00:00By Joel Kulasingham
Who is Orpheus Pledger?
Orpheus Pledger is a former child star who played Mason Morgan on theAussie soapHome and Away for 339 episodes between 2016 and 2019.
Pledger shot to stardom as a child actor at just eight years old after his role in the kids series Sliversun.
He later joined the cast ofNeighboursas Noah Parkin in 2011 before appearing in Home and Away.
The actor chose to leave the role in 2019 and was killed off in the season finale in November.
In February 2022, he starred in season three of SAS Australia but voluntarily withdrew after just two days.
He left during a psychological evaluation withAnt Middletonand Doctor Dan where they discussed his erratic behaviour.
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