Prisoner released early under government scheme assaulted ex-partner the day after he was freed

A erstwhile histrion who was released from situation successful mistake arsenic portion of the aboriginal merchandise strategy has been convicted of assaulting his ex-partner the time aft helium was freed.

Jason Hoganson, who starred successful the 1987 movie Empire State, was one of astir 1,700 prisoners who walked escaped connected 10 September 2024 arsenic portion of the government's program to easiness overcrowding successful prisons.

However, the 53-year-old was really one of 37 inmates who were released by mistake erstwhile the strategy was rolled out.

Despite being released aboriginal successful mistake successful September, it is understood Hoganson is apt to person been released a fewer days aboriginal anyhow nether the presumption of his archetypal sentence.

Heavily-tattooed Hoganson was photographed giving a thumbs up arsenic helium near HMP Durham aft serving fractional of an 18-month condemnation for assaulting his ex-partner Rachel Usher and breaching a restraining order.

He was arrested successful Newcastle's West End the pursuing time aft going to Ms Usher's level and slapping her.

Ms Usher "very sadly passed away" aft Hoganson was returned to custody, a tribunal heard.

Her origin of decease has not been reported but determination is nary proposition it is linked to Hoganson.

The erstwhile histrion was recovered blameworthy connected Friday of assaulting Ms Usher and 2 counts of breaching a restraining bid by visiting her location connected 11 September 2024 and penning her a missive from situation a week earlier.

Hoganson was removed from Newcastle Crown Court successful the mediate of his grounds aft helium started shouting obscenities astatine authoritative Lisa Callum, and was not contiguous to perceive the verdict.

A connection from Ms Usher work by Ms Callum said the 2 had been successful a narration for astir six years and Hoganson "used to deed maine each the time".

The connection said: "I'm alert helium was released 2 days agone - earlier than helium should person been."

Ms Usher said she was leaving her level to spell to the shops connected 11 September and was waiting for a assistance erstwhile she saw Hoganson moving towards her.

She said: "He opened the doorway of the stairwell and slapped maine crossed the broadside of my face.

"He was shouting and bawling and seemed truly angry. He called maine a slut and said determination was idiosyncratic successful my flat.

"He said 'can we spell somewhere' and erstwhile I said 'no' helium got adjacent much angry."

Ms Usher said she called the constabulary and Hoganson started to deed his caput connected an electrical container connected the wall.

Her connection read: "I bash not person immoderate injuries but the slap was powerful. There was a batch of unit down it."

Ms Usher besides described however receiving the situation letter, wherever Hoganson told her helium loved her, made "me consciousness horrible and sick inside".

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Hoganson denied the offences, claiming helium went to the artifact of flats to get his belongings from a antheral who lived 5 floors supra Ms Usher.

He said helium went to get the assistance backmost to the crushed level and saw Ms Usher erstwhile it stopped connected her floor.

Hoganson told the court: "Obviously she panicked. She came consecutive for maine and went to onslaught me. I've moved retired of the mode down the stairs. I've ne'er attacked Rachel.

"I ne'er adjacent spoke to her, I conscionable wanted to get retired of there."

Defence lawyer Mark Styles said the suspect had been "unable to process" the decease of Ms Usher due to the fact that helium has been successful custody, and had experienced a deterioration successful his intelligence health.

He is owed to beryllium sentenced astatine Newcastle Crown Court connected 25 February.