Former Hollywood star freed early back in prison after ’assaulting ex’ within 48 hours
Fallen Hollywood actor Jason Hoganson, who had a leading role in a 1980s film, was released early from prison but is now back behind bars after allegedly assaulting a former partner in Newcastle
A fallen Hollywood actor is back behind bars just 48 hours after being freed early from jail in a bid to ease overcrowding.
Jason Hoganson, 53, had a leading role in the 1980s film Empire State but as his movie career started to take off, Hoganson struggled with being in the spotlight and fell into a life of drink, drugs and crime.
Producers of a low-budget film contacted Hoganson’s drama teacher to say they were looking for Geordie actors in 1987. After auditioning more than 100 teenage hopefuls, he was offered a part in Empire State, a gritty drama set in 1980s London. He played the role of Geordie drifter Pete in the movie directed by Ron Peck.
But he has has since racked up 109 previous convictions and the most recent incident involved him attacking his ex-girlfriend in December last year. It led to his imprisonment - with an 18-month custodial service being handed to him last month.
He was released from prison early from his 18-month sentence. on September 10. He was freed from HMP Durham as part of a government initiative to reduce prison overcrowding - a decision which has sparked widespread fury among the public.
And a day after his release he allegedly slapped his ex-girlfriend on the cheek after turning up at her home. He is accused of one count of assault and two of breaching a restraining order.
He appeared in court on September 12, and was due to appear before North Tyneside Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, having admitted one count of breaching the order but denying the other count, and denying assault. He was remanded in custody and is due to stand trial on October 30 at South Shields Magistrates’ Court
Hoganson had been released after being jailed for attacking his former partner in the street, despite being under a restraining order to stay away from her. Video footage from a doorbell camera captured the assault, showing Hoganson slapping, pushing, and kicking the woman as she lay on the ground. The attack lasted around three minutes and he later admitted to assault by beating and breaching the restraining order, Newcastle Crown Court heard.
The early release had sparked concern, given Hoganson’s history of violent offences, and it comes amid ongoing discussions about the effectiveness of prison overcrowding measures.
Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood previously defended the early release scheme by describing it as a “rescue effort” of England’s prison system. Speaking in the Commons during a session on justice questions, she said: “On taking office two months ago, it was immediately clear that we had inherited a prison system at the point of collapse. That is why our emergency action, which will see certain offenders leave prison a few weeks or months early, has proved necessary. This measure takes effect today.”
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