Hollywood actor who was freed from prison early goes on the run
by Emily Jane Davies · Mail OnlineA Hollywood actor who was freed from prison during Keir Starmer's controversial early release scheme is on the run just weeks later.
Jason Hoganson, 53, gave a thumbs up in September after he was released halfway through an 18-month sentence for assaulting his ex girlfriend.
He was freed on the same day 1,700 other prisoners were released under measures to tackle overcrowding.
But the actor was rearrested just 48 hours later on suspicion of two counts of breaching a restraining order and one count of assault.
Police have struggled to find him after he breached his licence conditions and officers are now hunting for the actor to put him back behind bars.
Officers have published a photo of his very distinctive face to ask for the public's help locating him - but warned them not to try to harbour the wanted man.
With a face crisscrossed with angry scars, a head covered in tattoos and a big chunk of his ear missing, his is not a face you would soon forget.
Posting a photo of him on social media, Northumbria Police said: 'We are asking for help to locate Jason Hoganson. Hoganson, 53, is wanted for recall to prison for breaching his licence conditions.
'It is believed that Hoganson is actively evading arrest and that he could be anywhere in our Force area or County Durham.
'Anyone who sees Hoganson should not approach him and instead contact us immediately. Please be aware that harbouring a wanted person is an offence and those involved could face prosecution.'
Hoganson - who rose to fame after starring in cult 80s film Empire State - was jailed for 18 months in HMP Durham after brutally attacking his ex-girlfriend in the street.
But the fallen star gave a jubilant thumbs up to the camera as he left prison just 19 days later.
Originally from Wallsend, Hoganson - who now has 109 convictions on his record - struggled with his movie career and fell into a life of drink, drugs and crime.
Playing an enigmatic Geordie drifter living among mobsters in London, Hoganson had been talent-scouted by producers who contacted his drama teacher looking for a youth to play the part in the 1987 movie.
Newcastle Crown Court previously heard Hoganson was caught on doorbell video camera when he attacked his former partner in Newcastle on December 11 last year.
Prosecutor Amy Levitt said he already had a restraining order to keep him away from the woman when he attacked her.
Miss Levitt told the court at the time: 'Footage shows the defendant assaulting the complainant. He slaps her to the face and she walks away. He walks after her.
'There are further hits and a push, where she falls to the floor. The assault continues while she's lying on the floor.
'She describes him, having pushed her, hit her, kicked her and put his body weight on her. The assault lasted around three minutes.'
Ian Crook, defending, told the court: 'He was an accomplished actor. He actually secured a role, quite a leading role, in a film, a crime thriller.
'At that point the future was bright.'
Mr Crook said Hoganson already had personal struggles at that point and added: 'Being thrown into the spotlight wasn't easy for him to cope with. He turned to drink and drugs and that led to a downward spiral.'
He said Hoganson has a complex mental health history but has been a mentor for others while in prison on remand.
Hoganson, of no fixed address, admitted assault by beating and breach of a restraining order.
Judge Tim Gittins sentenced Hoganson to 18 months behind bars, most of which he has already served on remand.
Miss Levitt said Hoganson had been given a restraining order to keep him away from the victim after he was convicted of offences of battery and criminal damage in May last year.
He was due to stand trial on October 30 at South Shields Magistrates' Court.