TV star’s grandson homeless and on drugs
Hollywood star Paul Hogan’s grandson has broken down in court after he was told his father has moved to Sydney to support him in living a life without crime when he leaves prison.
Jake Paul Hogan, 34, faced Downing Centre Local Court via audiovisual link on Wednesday where he learned he would be getting released from prison after 57 days in custody.
His father Todd Hogan, who is the son of the Crocodile Dundee star, flew back from New Zealand to support his son at the sentencing.
The younger Hogan was in custody on remand after his bail was refused in March, and was sentenced on Wednesday for breaking into apartment buildings to fund his “high-level drug habit” and for breaching a court order against an ex-girlfriend.
Downing Centre Local Court was told Jake had been working as a carpenter before falling into a drug addiction and becoming homeless.
He began sleeping in abandoned buildings, stealing clothes and other items to sell to fund his drug habit.
Deputy Chief Magistrate Sharon Freund described Jake’s actions as a “sudden escalation of offending” after his life broke down.
Ms Freund told the court she was “comforted” by the fact he was supported by his father Todd and sister in court.
“This is a young man that needs some scaffolding, he totally has the ability to turn his life around,” she said.
The court was told Jake’s offending began in February when he attempted to steal a bike from Sydney University, before he then breached an apprehended violence order by calling a woman he had a former relationship with 40 times five days later.
He was on bail for the prior two matters when on March 2 he broke into a garage, before he found tools and broke into another room before cutting through a cable and stealing a bike.
He was also caught shoplifting from Coles and Myer in Sydney’s CBD.
Ms Freund said while it wasn’t the “most sophisticated” crime in her 20 years, it “did require some planning”.
Jake, who is the sister of Network Seven presenter Mylee Hogan, was charged with break and enter into a house and steal something less than $60,000, larceny of more than $2000, goods in personal custody suspected being stolen, and possess housebreaking implements.
He pleaded guilty at the first available opportunity, the magistrate said.
“I note at the time of the offending, life had been particularly difficult for you and you’d fallen into the spiral of drug use and you were homeless,” Ms Freund said, as Jake sniffed back tears in the AVL suite.
“No doubt you were having difficulty seeing the light at the end of the tunnel and managing to find your way out of the hole.”
The court was told Jake’s father was having trouble contacting his son during the offending, and had even flown to Sydney from New Zealand to find him.
“Mr Hogan you are phenomenally lucky to have these supports,” Ms Freund said.
She told the court Jake’s father is set to remain in Sydney to give him support when he leaves custody.
Jake was convicted of all charges and sentenced to a community corrections order for two years, and an intensive corrections order for nine months.
“I wish you good luck Mr Hogan,” Ms Freund said.
