Two burglars have each been sentenced to 56 months in prison following a sophisticated three-night crime spree that targeted seven properties, including the family home of former Aston Villa and Birmingham City footballer Scott Hogan. The incidents, which occurred in June last year, left the professional athlete and his young family traumatised by the invasion of their privacy.
Organised Crime Operation Uncovered
Denis Puka, aged 28, and Erisjan Laska, aged 29, both Albanian nationals, along with a third unidentified accomplice, carried out what Judge Steven Everett, the Honorary Recorder of Chester, described as a "sophisticated and well-planned" series of burglaries. The court heard how the group travelled from outside the area and booked an Airbnb room in Warrington specifically to use as a base for their criminal activities.
Their operation involved a Seat Leon vehicle transported from Sheffield, which was fitted with three different false registration plates during the raids that primarily targeted properties across Cheshire. The defendants equipped themselves with professional tools including masks, burglary implements and walkie-talkies to coordinate their activities, demonstrating a concerning level of organisation.
Footballer's Family Home Invaded
The most high-profile target was the Northwich, Cheshire home of Milton Keynes Dons forward Scott Hogan, who previously played for Aston Villa between 2017 and 2020 before moving to Birmingham City until 2024. The 33-year-old footballer was woken at approximately 11.30pm on June 7th by torchlight shining through his bedroom window.
Prosecutor Nardeen Nemat detailed how the defendants had climbed over the property's fence before one burglar climbed onto another's shoulders to scale the trellising and reach the bedroom window. At the time of the incident, Mr Hogan's then-pregnant wife and young daughter were also present in the family home, amplifying the potential danger of the situation.
"Mr Hogan ran after the males but the males ran away," Ms Nemat told Chester Crown Court. Although nothing was stolen from the Hogan property, the psychological impact has been profound and lasting.
Emotional Impact on Footballer's Family
In a victim personal statement read to the court, Scott Hogan revealed the burglary had "led to many sleepless nights full of stress and anxiety" for him and his family. The former Premier League striker expressed how the violation of his family's safe space had created ongoing emotional distress.
"I can't put into words completely what a dramatic effect this has had on me and my family," Mr Hogan stated in his court submission. Since the incident, the footballer has invested in enhanced security measures to protect his young family, though the psychological scars remain.
Three-Night Crime Spree Details
The burglary campaign spanned three consecutive nights beginning on June 5th last year:
- June 5th: The defendants targeted two addresses in Blackpool, Lancashire. They gained access to one property and ransacked every room except the bedroom where the occupants were sleeping. Nothing was stolen from either property on this occasion.
- June 6th: The group struck at properties in Grappenhall, Knutsford and Northwich. They were disturbed during the first two attempts and left empty-handed, but successfully burgled a mansion house in Northwich while the residents were on holiday, stealing a Breitling watch and a Rolex watch with a combined value of £9,000.
- June 7th: After purchasing crowbars from a B&Q store in Warrington, the defendants attempted two further burglaries. They fled a mansion house in Warrington after being disturbed before targeting Scott Hogan's home in Northwich later that evening.
The comprehensive police investigation and subsequent court proceedings have highlighted the organised nature of the criminal operation and the significant impact on all victims, particularly the Hogan family who experienced a terrifying invasion of their private residence.
