Former Home and Away star Orpheus Pledger has been spared more jail time after stomping on a woman’s head and going on the run.
The actor, who is 31, portrayed the role of Mason Morgan in the Australian soap from 2016 until 2019, before his character was killed off.
Earlier this week, Orpheus faced Victorian County Court and was successful in appealing the seven-month prison sentence he was given in August.
In March, the actorassaulted a woman on two separate occasions. During the first one, he kicked and punched the victim after she raised concerns about his mental health and drug use. On the second time, Orpheus reportedly dragged the woman by her hair and stomped on her face.
The soap star was arrested, but given bail back in April after being told he had to undergo a mental health assessment. The next morning, he went on the run after leaving the hospital.
Three days later, the police took Orpheus back into custody.
Barrister Jonathan Barrera reached the conclusion on Tuesday that while his client still couldn’t explain why he attacked the woman, he had shown remorse. He went on to say that the actor’s early guilty plea, limited criminal history and prospects of rehabilitation should be taken into consideration when discussing a lighter sentence.
He also said because Orpheus had served 97 days of pre-sentence detention, he should be released on a community corrections order, an alternative to being sent back inside.
The judge, Michael Tinney, agreed.
As a result of being under the corrections order, the actor will have to complete 150 hours of unpaid community work and attend treatment for mental health issues and drug abuse.
During the re-sentencing, Judge Tinney said Orpheus carried out unprovoked assaults against a vulnerable woman.
Metro has contacted Orpheus’ representative for a comment
The actor’s character, Mason, arrived in Summer Bay with siblings Tori (Penny McNamee), Brody (Jackson Heywood) and Justin (James Stewart).
Mason ended up getting caught up in the crossfire during a hospital siege, when a group of mysterious men stormed the hospital with guns in hand.
He lost his life as a result.