The sibling of a prominent Albanian criminal has been imprisoned following a late-night attempted burglary that left a former international footballer and his pregnant wife experiencing significant emotional trauma. Scott Hogan, the 33-year-old forward who has represented clubs including Aston Villa and Brentford, was disturbed at his Cheshire residence when intruders used torchlight through his bedroom window after climbing trellising, as detailed in court proceedings.
Footballer's Family Targeted in Night Raid
Mr Hogan, who earned twelve caps for the Republic of Ireland during his career, pursued the three burglars but they managed to escape the property. However, law enforcement successfully identified and arrested 28-year-old Denis Puka alongside 29-year-old Erisjan Laska, with both individuals subsequently confessing to targeting multiple high-value properties across the region.
Notorious Family Connections
Denis Puka's older brother Dorian has gained considerable notoriety as a criminal figure obsessed with displaying wealth, having spent the past year provoking police and Home Office authorities through social media videos that boast about his extravagant lifestyle within the United Kingdom. The 31-year-old achieved infamy after being imprisoned and deported on two separate occasions for numerous burglary offences before illegally re-entering Britain concealed in a lorry, documenting his 'adventures' throughout the process.
Last year, national media revealed the profound distress experienced by the brothers' hard-working parents, both educators in their Albanian hometown, regarding their sons' criminal activities. Today, Mr Hogan, currently playing for League Two side Milton Keynes Dons, informed the court that the 11.30pm raid had generated intense fear for his wife Charlotte and their young daughter, who were both present during the incident.
Psychological Impact on Victims
The footballer explained that the burglary attempt caused 'great psychological damage' to his family unit and resulted in 'many sleepless nights' while he was away fulfilling professional football commitments. Describing the experience as 'dispiriting' to work diligently throughout life to afford a 'nice house' only to become 'a target for others to exploit', Mr Hogan disclosed that he had been compelled to invest thousands of pounds in an enhanced security system.
'It has caused huge emotional distress to myself and my wife who is heavily pregnant,' he stated within his victim impact testimony. 'My career as a professional footballer is very short. I have now used money I was saving to buy a whole new security system to ensure my wife feels safe as I am not at home for extended periods of time due to my career.'
'When I am not there, I fear for my wife and child. It is a nightmare for any father and mother. It is extremely dispiriting when you work hard in life to get a nice house only to make it a target for others to exploit.'
Organised Criminal Operation
The attempted break-in during June formed part of a sequence of 'well-planned and organised' raids, Chester Crown Court heard. The criminal gang specifically targeted mansions and country houses situated within extensive grounds to minimise detection risks, gaining first-floor access by scaling drainpipes, utilising ladders, or employing human pyramids.
Laska and Puka participated as members of a three-person team, though the third individual remains unidentified by investigative authorities. Prosecutor Nardeen Nemat explained that the burglars equipped themselves with masks and tools including crowbars, with Mr Hogan's Northwich-area property representing their final intended target.
After scaling a perimeter fence, one prospective burglar stood upon another's shoulders and ascended trellising attached to the house to reach the Hogans' bedroom window before being interrupted. The trio employed a vehicle featuring three distinct sets of cloned numberplates to avoid identification and communicated using walkie-talkie devices.
Investigation and Sentencing
On most occasions, the burglars were disturbed during their operations, successfully stealing only two watches throughout their criminal spree - a Rolex and an Omega timepiece. Police investigators traced the vehicle through comprehensive CCTV review and discovered burglary tools, while mobile phone search histories revealed directions to the targeted addresses.
Laska, residing in Sheffield and married to a British citizen, alongside Puka, living in Crediton, Devon with indefinite leave to remain status, both pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit seven burglaries within a forty-eight-hour period. Laska possesses previous convictions for driving offences, while Puka had no prior court appearances, with his defence barrister describing him as originating from a 'decent family'.
'His mother is shocked by what he has done,' stated Phil Astbury, representing Puka. 'He is a young man of positive good character with a good work record who contributes to the community in every way.'
Both defendants received prison sentences of four years and eight months for what Judge Steven Everett characterised as a 'disgusting and despicable' burglary campaign that inflicted 'devastation and huge upset' upon victims. Addressing the convicted men directly, the judge remarked: 'This was as well planned and organised set of burglaries I have ever seen.'
'High end properties were targeted and you hoped that would allow you to steal very high value items. You targeted large mansion houses and estates because you thought their owners would be vulnerable because they were in the middle of nowhere. It is important you understand the sheer devastation caused by your selfish and despicable acts.'
Police Response
Following the sentencing, PC Simon Gibson of Cheshire Police commented: 'Puka and Laska thought they could travel hundreds of miles to Cheshire to trick our officers and get away with this series of burglaries – but they seriously underestimated us. The fact that they have both pleaded guilty and have now been sentenced demonstrates the amount of evidence which was stacked against them, thanks to our dedicated teams who worked tirelessly to track them down and secure charges.'
