Orpheus Pledger updates — Australian former Home and Away star arrested in three-day manhunt after alleged assault

How did Orpheus Pledger escape?

Following Pledger's initial arrest a magistrate agreed for Pledger to undergo involuntary inpatient mental health care under police escort.

The soap actor is believed to have got up and walked out of the Royal Melbourne Hospital at around 6:10pm after waiting six hours for his appointment.

It is unclear how Pledger managed to escape while under police watch.

What have cops said?

Police launched a manhunt for Home and Away star Orpheus Pledger today after the actor failed to attend court on assault charges.

A Victoria Police statement read: "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."

Police share CCTV footage

Australian cops published grim CCTV footage of the alleged attack as they hunt Orpheus Pledger.

The video shows the woman being grabbed from behind by her hair before she is pulled to the floor.

The attack - allegedly carried out by Pledger - happens just off camera but a shadow shows what appears to be the assailant stomping on the victim's head.

She sustained serious injuries including a haematoma on her head, cuts to her cheek and bruises.

What TV shows has Orpheus Pledger been in?

Orpheus 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.

Chilling police call reveals victim’s cry for help

A chilling police call revealed a victim's cry after Home and Away star Orpheus Pledger allegedly "stamped on her head."

The woman called police in Melbourne and gave an urgent message before the line was disconnected.

Terrified, she is said to have called the cops and told them "He's coming" before the line went dead.

HUNT FOR STAR

Call reveals victim's cry for help as Home & Away star 'stamps on her head'

Orpheus Pledger escaped arrest

Orpheus Pledger was arrested on March 25 and put into pre-trial detention.

He was due to attend Melbourne Magistrates Court on Tuesday after being accused of assaulting a woman.

But he is now on the run after escaping the Royal Melbourne Hospital where he was being held under police guard.

Orpheus Pledger pictured

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."

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 shite," 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.

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."

Who did Orpheus Pledger play in Home and Away?

The former child star played Mason Morgan on the hit Aussie 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.

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.

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.

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.

Former Home and Away star allegedly dragged the woman to the ground before stomping on her head.

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.

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.

Who is Orpheus Pledger?

Orpheus Pledger is a former child star who played Mason Morgan on the Aussie soap Home 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 of Neighbours as 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 with Ant Middleton and Doctor Dan where they discussed his erratic behaviour.

Orpheus Pledger description

Australian actor Orpheus Pledger is on the run from police after failing to attend Melbourne Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

The Home and Away actor is accused of assaulting a woman.

Victoria Police have launched a public appeal for help, describing him as "approximately 170cm [5ft 7in] tall with brown hair and tanned complexion" in a public statement.

They added the 30-year-old is "known to frequent Northcote and surrounding areas.”

How did Orpheus Pledger escape?

Following Pledger's initial arrest a magistrate agreed for Pledger to undergo involuntary inpatient mental health care under police escort.

The soap actor is believed to have got up and walked out of the Royal Melbourne Hospital at around 6:10pm after waiting six hours for his appointment.

It is unclear how Pledger managed to escape while under police watch.

What have cops said?

Police launched a manhunt for Home and Away star Orpheus Pledger today after the actor failed to attend court on assault charges.

A Victoria Police statement read: "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."

Police share CCTV footage

Australian cops published grim CCTV footage of the alleged attack as they hunt Orpheus Pledger.

The video shows the woman being grabbed from behind by her hair before she is pulled to the floor.

The attack - allegedly carried out by Pledger - happens just off camera but a shadow shows what appears to be the assailant stomping on the victim's head.

She sustained serious injuries including a haematoma on her head, cuts to her cheek and bruises.

What TV shows has Orpheus Pledger been in?

Orpheus 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.

Orpheus Pledger escaped arrest

Orpheus Pledger was arrested on March 25 and put into pre-trial detention.

He was due to attend Melbourne Magistrates Court on Tuesday after being accused of assaulting a woman.

But he is now on the run after escaping the Royal Melbourne Hospital where he was being held under police guard.

Orpheus Pledger pictured