A fallen film star who armed himself with a knife and threatened to kill police officers has been spared prison.
Jason Hoganson, of Elswick, Newcastle, played the role of a Geordie in 1988 film Empire State but since then his life has spiralled out of control.
The former actor fell into a life of crime after drink, drugs and mental health problems took their toll.
The 45-year-old, who has racked up 94 previous convictions, has been back in trouble after threatening police with a large knife.
But now a judge at Newcastle Crown Court has given him a chance to turn his life around after suspending his prison sentence for affray.
Nick Lane, defending, handed a newspaper cutting to the court about Hoganson’s past success.
Mr Lane said: “That was snatched away from him.
“He was led into a cycle of drug and alcohol addiction.”
Hoganson starred in Empire State 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.
Hoganson, of Durham Street, Elswick, Newcastle, has convictions for violence, carrying weapons and has served prison sentences.
He was convicted by a jury last month of affray for threatening police officers with a large knife.
The officers had gone to his home last September with a warrant to search for stolen goods, which were never found, and Hoganson armed himself with a large knife during an angry confrontation.
He threatened to “stab” and “kill” the police during the stand-off.
Judge Deborah Sherwin sentenced him to two years behind bars but suspended the term for two years.
The judge told Hoganson, who had spent almost seven months in prison on remand: “You are someone who has had a very troubled background.
“You really need as much help and encouragement as you can get.”
Mr Lane told the court Hoganson has been offered help by a support group, which he is determined to embrace.
He added: “He has lost much of the relationship he would have had with his own children due to his offending behaviour and the time he has spent in custody.
“He is determined he will have a proper relationship with his granddaughter.”
It was in 1987 the producers of a low-budget film contacted his drama teacher to say they were looking for Geordie actors.
After auditioning more than 100 teenage hopefuls, he was offered a part in Empire State, a gritty drama set in 1980s London.
He played the role of Geordie drifter Pete, in the movie directed by Ron Peck.
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