Former Home and Away Star Orpheus Pledger Escapes Police Custody During Mental Health Assessment

Orpheus Pledger, a former star of the Australian soap opera Home and Away, has escaped police custody while awaiting a mental health assessment at the Royal Melbourne Hospital. The 30-year-old actor was arrested on March 27 and faced four assault charges, but was granted bail for a court-ordered hospital assessment. However, he failed to return to the hospital, prompting a judge to issue an arrest warrant.

Police have called on the public to help in the manhunt for Pledger, who is described as being approximately 170cm tall with brown hair and a tanned complexion. Pledger is known to frequent the Melbourne inner-city suburb of Northcote and surrounding areas. "Police are asking the public for help in locating Pledger, who is described as 170 centimetres tall with brown hair and a tanned complexion, and is known to frequent the Melbourne suburb of Northcote and its surrounding areas," authorities stated.

The assault charges against Pledger stem from an incident on March 25, where he allegedly grabbed a female victim's hair, threw her to the ground, and stomped on her head. The incident was captured on camera, showing the violent nature of the assault. The alleged victim had previously made a Triple Zero call warning police that Pledger was in the midst of a mental health incident.

Pledger's manager, Craig McMahon, expressed shock at the assault allegations and stated that the actor had struggled with mental health issues. "Pledger had been struggling with mental health issues and had previously tried to access treatment, but had been 'let down by the system,'" McMahon said.

Why this matters: The case highlights the importance of addressing mental health concerns within the criminal justice system and ensuring that individuals receive appropriate support and treatment. It also raises questions about the adequacy of mental health resources and the need for improved coordination between law enforcement and healthcare providers.

Pledger, who has an extensive acting resume including roles in popular Australian TV shows like 'Home and Away' and 'Neighbours', recently made a short-lived appearance on the reality show 'SAS Australia' in 2022, where he voluntarily left the series. Police are urging anyone who sees Pledger or has any information about his whereabouts to contact Crime Stoppers immediately. Authorities remind the public that harboring a fugitive or obstructing justice is a serious crime.

Key Takeaways

• Former 'Home and Away' star Orpheus Pledger escaped police custody.
• Pledger faced assault charges and was ordered for mental health assessment.
• Pledger failed to return to the hospital, prompting an arrest warrant.
• Pledger allegedly assaulted a woman, with the incident captured on camera.
• Police urge public to report Pledger's whereabouts, as harboring a fugitive is a crime.