an ex home and away The star who led police on a three-day manhunt after headbutting a woman in a “disturbing” attack has been spared more jail time.
Orpheus Pledger, 31, faced the Victorian County Court on Tuesday where he successfully appealed The seven-month jail sentence he originally received in August,
He was sent to jail after confessing to the crime melbourne The Magistrate Court has registered a case of assault on a woman on two separate occasions in March.
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The first time, he kicked and punched the victim in the face after she expressed concerns about his drug use and deteriorating mental health.
He then attacked her a second time, pulling her by the hair and punching her in the face while she was lying on the ground.
The pledger was arrested but bailed on April 22 on the condition that he undergo a court-ordered mental health evaluation. The next morning he escaped from a hospital.
A warrant was issued for his arrest, with the actor having to flee from the police for three days before being remanded in custody.
Magistrate Justin Foster jailed Pledger in August, saying he accepted the actor had a drug problem but that was no excuse for violence.
Mr Foster also raised concerns about Pledger’s lack of insight into the crime.
Pledger’s barrister Jonathan Barrera admitted on Tuesday his client still could not explain why he attacked the woman, but said he had since shown remorse.
Mr Barrera said Mortgagor’s early guilty plea, limited criminal history and good prospects for rehabilitation should also result in a lighter sentence.
The barrister argued that Pledger had already served 97 days in pre-sentence custody so he should be released on a community corrections order rather than being sent back to prison.
Judge Michael Tinney agreed, finding that Pledger had spent substantial time behind bars.
The judge overturned the magistrate’s decision and sentenced Pledger to 97 days in jail, considered already served, and a two-year community correction order.
Under the corrections order, Pledger must complete 150 hours of unpaid community work and treatment for drug abuse and mental health issues.
In his re-sentencing, Judge Tinney said that Pledger had carried out an unprovoked attack against a vulnerable woman.
Judge Tinney told Pledger, “It is disturbing, it is serious and it is simply unbelievable that you would behave this way.”
She said the actor had missed psychiatrist appointments while on appeal bail and had changed the dosage of his anti-psychotic medication without consulting a doctor.
Judge Tinney said Pledger also spoke about his behavior despite saying at his bail review meetings that he was not using illegal substances.
The judge said he had reservations about Pledger’s recent “hiccups,” yet ultimately he is a 31-year-old who has good prospects for rehabilitation.
The pawnbroker was surprised to learn that he would not be sent back to jail.
He wore a cap and face mask as he left the court and decided not to answer questions from reporters.
