Things have taken a dramatic turn for former Home and Away star Orpheus Pledger, whose off-screen troubles have continued to play out in the courtroom. After being given opportunities to avoid further punishment. His recent actions have once again brought him under the spotlight of the justice system. His future now hangs in the balance as the court delivers its latest response to his behaviour.
Past Offences and Second Chances
Pledger’s troubles began in March 2024 when he attacked a woman twice in separate incidents. One of the assaults was caught on a motion-activated camera. It showed him dragging the woman to the ground by her hair and stomping on her head. The case reached Victoria County Court in August 2024, where he received a seven-month jail sentence.
But just three months later, that punishment was replaced by a two-year community correction order. It spared him from spending additional time behind bars. Despite being given this second chance, Pledger soon started falling short of the order’s strict conditions. Reports revealed he completed only 30 of the 150 hours of community service assigned.
Home and Away: Violations Lead to Jail
The Herald Sun reported that Pledger recently returned to the same court after multiple breaches of his parole. These included 19 unexplained absences and the use of methamphetamine and cannabis. Matters worsened in June when he was arrested for returning to his victim’s home, prompting her to call emergency services.
Following the arrest, Pledger was taken to hospital, but the court made clear that his repeated failures could not continue. Judge Michael Tinney told the hearing that the actor had wasted the chance to change course. He said that he had “frittered away his opportunity on the order.” As a result, Pledger was sentenced to a non-parole term of six months, with 127 days deducted for time already served.
Since leaving the soap, his battles off-screen have dominated headlines. His lawyer previously told the court that his drug use had spiralled in recent years, contributing to both his offences and his inability to meet the court’s demands. Now, with his freedom revoked, the 32-year-old finds himself serving jail time after failing to hold on to repeated chances for rehabilitation. Stay tuned to Soap Opera Daily for all the latest updates from Home and Away and the world of soaps.