Film actor, 49, is locked up after his life spiralled out of control due to drink, drugs and mental problems and he was caught carrying two knives on the street
- Jason Hoganson was in 1987 movie Empire State with US star Martin Landau
- Had only been out of prison for three months when he was caught with knives
- He was jailed for 40 weeks and must pay £85 costs and a £156 victim surcharge
A former film actor was today jailed for carrying two knives on the street after his life spiralled out of control due to drink, drugs and mental health problems.
Jason Hoganson, who appeared in 1987 movie Empire State with US star Martin Landau, racked up more than 95 convictions, and had only been out of prison for three months when he was caught waving a knife at someone in Newcastle.
The 49-year-old, who already had four past offences for weapons possession on his record, was searched and found with two blades in his backpack, with officers rejecting his excuse that he was taking them to his mother to use in the kitchen.
Jason Hoganson, who appeared in 1987 movie Empire State, has racked up more than 95 convictions. He is seen on the left around the time he starred in the film and right in a recent mugshot
Hoganson, of Benwell, was due to appear at North Tyneside Magistrates' Court today but was kept in his cell because of self-harm issues.
His solicitor, Mark Harrison, entered guilty pleas to two counts of possession of a bladed article on his behalf.
Prosecuting, Glenda Beck, told magistrates that the police were called to West Road in Newcastle on Monday, June 22, after reports of a male 'brandishing a knife'.
She said: 'A description had been passed to the officers and the defendant was seen and matched the description.
'When arrested, he was searched and one large kitchen knife and one small kitchen knife were located.'
During interview, Hoganson claimed he had a lawful reason to be carrying the kitchen knives as he was taking them to his mother for her to use with her cooking.
Mr Harrison said Hoganson maintained that excuse but accepted he needed to be much more 'wary' about carrying blades.
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
The solicitor added: 'There's no suggestion the knives were being used or brandished in dangerous circumstances.
'While there's evidence to suggest someone was brandishing a knife, there's no evidence to suggest that it was him.'
Hoganson was jailed for 40 weeks and must pay £85 costs and a £156 victim surcharge.
Hoganson was jailed for 40 weeks and must pay £85 costs and a £156 victim surcharge. He's seen in an undated image
In an interview in 2012, Hoganson revealed he had lost contact with his family and was living on the streets due to his drink and drug problems.
'I'm like the black sheep,' he said. 'My mum has done everything for me, she's a really lovely woman, but my family have had enough and I don't blame them.
'I can't keep putting them through this.'
Trouble began from an early age and at 13-years-old he was taken into car when his mother Maureen was no longer to cope with his erratic behaviour.
'I was put into care when I was 13 because of my behaviour,' he said.
'I was just part of the gang in Elswick and used to follow the crowd, and that's how I got into trouble.'
His chance to turn his life around came in 1987 when the producers of the low-budget film contacted his drama teacher looking for Geordie actors for a part in Empire State, a gritty drama set in 1980s London.
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.
But as his acting career started to take off, his personal life was in tatters and he succumbed to a life of crime.
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