Hollywood actor freed early from jail was back in jail 48 hours later

by · Mail Online

A former Hollywood actor who was this month released early from prison has been rearrested and remanded in custody. 

Jason Hoganson - who rose to fame after starring in the cult 80s film Empire State -was released from prison on September 10 after serving half of his 18-month jail term for attacking his ex-girlfriend.

The assault happened in December last year and Hoganson served a majority of his sentence on remand. He was sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court in August but was released less than three weeks later because the time spent in custody on remand counted towards his total sentence.

Tattooed Hoganson, 53, was photographed raising a thumb as he was released from Durham Prison on September 10. 

He was released automatically at the halfway mark – on the same day other prisoners were let out early under Sir Keir Starmer’s controversial early release scheme.

The following day he was arrested in Newcastle's West End on suspicion of two counts of breaching a restraining order and one count of assault.

Jason Hoganson, with his face crisscrossed with angry scars and his head covered in distinctive tattoos, gave a jubilant thumbs up to the camera as he left prison on September 10
But 48 hours later the 53-year-old fallen star was back behind bars after being arrested 
Jason Hoganson pictured at the time of his appearance in 1987 movie Empire State 

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.

His brother Michael confirmed the release date was known well in advance and he was not let out early.

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.

Hoganson had a leading role in the 1988 Hollywood movie Empire State 
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
In the film he played 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 
After auditioning more than 100 teenage hopefuls, producers offered Hoganson the part of Geordie drifter Pete, and he starred alongside Irish actor Ray McAnally, Jamie Foreman and US star Martin Landau. Pictured is a scene from the film 

Hoganson had a leading role in the 1988 Hollywood movie Empire State, alongside Irish actor Ray McAnally, Jamie Foreman and US star Martin Landau.

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.

Last month, Newcastle Crown Court 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: '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.'

Hoganson admitted assault by beating and breach of a restraining order.

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.

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.