Hollywood actor released early from prison was back behind bars 48 hours later for “attacking his ex”

A Hollywood actor who was released early from prison was back behind bars 48 hours later for “attacking his ex.”

Jason Hoganson – who rose to fame for his starring role in the 80s cult film Empire State – was photographed leaving HMP Durham on September 10 after serving half of his 18-month sentence for assaulting his ex-girlfriend and breaching a restraining order.

But 48 hours later, the 53-year-old fallen star, whose face was covered in angry scars and whose head was covered in distinctive tattoos, was back behind bars following his arrest.

According to a court, he was arrested on September 11, one day after his release. He is accused of two counts of violating a restraining order by contacting the same ex-partner and one further count of assault.

Prosecutors said Hoganson, who has no fixed address, allegedly sent two letters to his former partner in August and on September 3 while he was incarcerated at HMP Durham.

But 48 hours later, the 53-year-old fallen star was back behind bars after being arrested

Jason Hoganson at the time of his appearance in the 1987 film Empire State

He is suspected of having attacked her by slapping her at her home address the day after his release from prison.

Hoganson appeared at Newcastle Local Court on September 12 and pleaded guilty to one count of breaching the restraining order and not guilty to the second count. He also denied a charge of assault by beating.

The court heard the assault allegation took place at a property in Arthur's Hill, Newcastle. District Judge Kate Meek accepted jurisdiction and his trial was set for October 30 at South Tyneside Magistrates' Court. He was remanded in custody.

Hoganson was due to appear again at North Tyneside Magistrates' Court on Wednesday 18 September. The hearing took place via video link from prison. However, he refused to appear and his lawyer spoke on his behalf. He was remanded in custody pending his trial.

Hoganson, who is from Wallsend and now has 109 convictions, struggled with his film career and fell into a life of drink, drugs and crime.

In 1988, Hoganson played a leading role in the Hollywood film “Empire State” alongside Irish actor Ray McAnally, Jamie Foreman and US star Martin Landau.

Hoganson played a mysterious Geordie drifter living among the London gang. He was discovered by producers who contacted his acting coach looking for a young man to play the role in the 1987 film.

Last month, Newcastle Crown Court heard that Hoganson was caught on CCTV on a doorbell attacking his former partner in Newcastle on December 11 last year.

Hoganson played a leading role in the 1988 Hollywood film Empire State

Hoganson, a native of Wallen, who now has 109 convictions, struggled with his film career and fell into a life of alcohol, drugs and crime.

In the film, he played a mysterious Geordie drifter living among gangsters in London. Hoganson was spotted as a talent by producers, who contacted his acting coach looking for a youngster to play the role in the 1987 film.

After auditioning more than 100 hopeful teenagers, producers offered Hoganson the role 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

Prosecutor Amy Levitt said he already had a restraining order keeping him away from the woman when he attacked her.

Miss Levitt told the court: “The footage shows the defendant attacking the plaintiff. He punches her in the face and she walks away. He goes after her.”

“There are further punches and a push that sends her to the ground. The attack continues while she is on the ground.”

“She describes how he pushed her, hit her, kicked her and used his body weight on her. The attack lasted about three minutes.”

Hoganson admitted assault by beating and breaching a restraining order.

Defence lawyer Ian Crook told the court: “He was an accomplished actor. He actually secured a role, quite a leading role, in a film, a crime thriller.”

Justice Minister Shabana Mahmood during a visit to HMP Bedford in Harpur, Bedfordshire

“At that point, the future looked bright.”

Mr Crook said Hoganson was already struggling with personal problems at the time, adding: “It was not easy for him to cope with being put in the spotlight. He started drinking and taking drugs and that led to a downward spiral.”

He said Hoganson had a complex mental health history but had been a mentor to others while in custody.

Judge Tim Gittins sentenced Hoganson to 18 months in prison, most of which he has already served in custody.

Miss Levitt said Hoganson had been given a restraining order to keep him away from the victim after he was convicted of assault and criminal damage in May last year.