A former Hollywood actor released early from prison under Keir Starmer’s controversial scheme is now wanted by the police.
Jason Hoganson, 53, was freed from Durham Prison on September 10, but arrested the next day in Newcastle on suspicion of two counts of breaching a restraining order and another count of assault.
Hoganson, who had a lead role in the film Empire State, admitted one count of breaching the order but denied the other count, and denied assault at North Tyneside Magistrates’ Court on September 12.
He was on conditional bail, according to Northumbria Police, and had been due to stand trial at South Shields Magistrates’ Court last week.
Northumbria Police said Hoganson was wanted for recall to prison for breaching his licence conditions and was “actively evading” arrest. The force warned the man could be anywhere in Tyneside or County Durham, and urged members of the public not to approach him. Police also cautioned that hiding a wanted person is a criminal offence.
Moreover, the force released a photo of Hoganson, whose face is covered in tattoos and scars. There is also a chunk missing from one of his ears.
Hoganson was released early after serving half of an 18-month jail sentence at HMP Durham.
Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrickc, responding to the manhunt, claimed on X: “Keir Starmer let him out early.”
The former actor gave a thumbs up when he was one of the 1,700 people released from prison early to ease overcrowding.
In the 1987 film directed by Ron Peck, Hoganson played Pete, a Geordie drifter living with mobsters engaged in a gang war in east London.
He starred alongside Ray McAnally, Ian Sears and Martin Landau, a US actor who had a supporting role in Alfred Hitchcock’s North by Nortwest.
Northumbria Police said anyone with information about Hoganson’s whereabouts can contact the force via social media, live chat on the website or 101, quoting the reference NP-20241031-1343.
The Ministry of Justice has been approached for comment.
