Face-tattooed Hollywood actor’s ex dies on day he stands trial for ‘assaulting her’
A man who was inside for assaulting his former partner was released due to Kier Starmer’s controversial prisoner scheme, which saw several inmates released before they had finished their sentence
A man who was accused of assaulting his famous former partner was due to stand trial, but found out his victim died the day of the trial – after he was freed under Jason Hoganson walked out of HMP Durham on September 10 this year in high sprits. The man, tattooed all over his body, was originally jailed for 18 months for the assault of Rachel Usher. At 53 years old, he served just half of the sentence and walked free with his thumbs up for cameras after nine months inside. However, it was short lived as the man was put back in jail just two days later.
He was accused of attacking Rachel again on the day he was released. He allegedly returned to her home and assaulted her. He was due to stand trial in October, but courts heard she had died the same day.
It is not known how Rachel died, but officials say it was not due to Hoganson. The pair originally met when he landed himself a role in a 1980s cult film Empire State.
A hearing was held at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court this week to discuss the next steps. They decided the trial would go ahead despite Rachel’s absence. Prosecutors said her statements would be used as evidence as a fresh date was scheduled the end of January next year.
Hoganson has been remanded into custody ahead of the planned trial. His specific accusations include slapping his ex at her home after he was released early under Labour’s prison plan.
Adding to this, he sent his victim two letters from his prison cell, despite specifically being under a restraining order which prevented any contact with her. Hoganson was originally caught on doorbell footage attacking Rachel, which caused his first conviction.
He was already under a strict restraining order at that point, which he obviously broke. The shocking footage, which was shown to courts showed him landing a few slaps and shoving her to the ground.
Hoganson was sentenced to 18 months behind bars after he admitted assault by beating and breach of a restraining order. His life had involved crime before his prison sentence, with a life of drug addiction and more than 100 convictions to his name.
In recent years, Hoganson completely switched up his appearance by covering self-harm scars on his face with a series of tattoos.
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