A Hollywood actor has been convicted of attacking his ex-girlfriend the day after he was freed from prison during Keir Starmer‘s controversial early release scheme.
Tattooed bruiser Jason Hoganson was snapped giving a thumbs up as he walked free from HMP Durham on September 10.
Coincidentally, he was freed on the same day 1,700 other prisoners were released under measures to tackle overcrowding. He was not formally released as part of this scheme.
Assault
The 53-year-old thug had served just under half of his 18-month sentence for assaulting his ex partner, Rachel Usher.
But the actor was rearrested just 48 hours later on suspicion of two counts of breaching a restraining order and one count of assault after again attack Ms Usher.
Fallen star Hoganson, who had a leading role in the cult 1980s film Empire State, now faces going back to prison after he was convicted of assault and the restraining order breaches.
Newcastle Magistrates’ Court heard that mother-of-three Ms Usher died on October 30 – the day Hoganson was originally due to stand trial.
A judge ruled the case should still go ahead, despite Ms Usher’s tragic death.
The foul-mouthed yob then started shouting obscenities from the dock, leading to him being kicked out of the court.
Deputy District Judge Natalie Wortley found Hoganson guilty of all three charges.
Originally from Wallsend, Hoganson – who now has 112 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, alongside Irish actor Ray McAnally, Jamie Foreman and US star Martin Landau.
Restraining order
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, 2023.
Prosecutor Amy Levitt said he already had a restraining order to keep him away from his ex-partner 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.
Spotlight
‘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. He was jailed for 18 months.
Following his latest conviction, Hoganson was remanded into custody ahead of his sentencing hearing on February 25
