Footballer chased off burglars after being woken by torch through bedroom window'

"The defendants also equipped themselves with masks, tools and walkie-talkies, Chester Crown Court heard. The home of Milton Keynes Dons forward Scott Hogan, in Northwich, Cheshire, was among the properties picked out between June 5 and 7. Mr Hogan, 33, who also played for Aston Villa and Birmingham City, was woken by torchlight shining through his bedroom window at about 11.30pm on June 7."

"Prosecutor Nardeen Nemat said the footballer's then-pregnant wife and his young daughter were also in the house at the time. She said: The defendants climbed over the fence and into the garden. One defendant climbed onto the shoulder of another and climbed up the trellising on the house to reach the bedroom window. Mr Hogan was in his bedroom when he was woken up by a torch light shining through his bedroom window. He looked out and saw three males on the ground."

"Judge Steven Everett, the Honorary Recorder of Chester, labelled their operation as such, noting they booked an Airbnb room in Warrington as a base. The pair, both of whom are Albanian nationals, travelled from outside the area to commit offences, mainly in Cheshire, using a Seat Leon from Sheffield fitted with three false registration plates during the raids. The defendants also equipped themselves with masks, tools and walkie-talkies, Chester Crown Court heard."

Two Albanian nationals, Denis Puka, 28, and Erisjan Laska, 29, and an unidentified third accomplice carried out a prolonged burglary spree targeting seven properties across three nights in June. They booked an Airbnb in Warrington as a base and travelled into Cheshire using a Seat Leon fitted with three false registration plates. The defendants used masks, tools and walkie-talkies and attempted to enter homes, including that of footballer Scott Hogan in Northwich, where his then-pregnant wife and young daughter were present. The intruders fled without stealing anything. Both men received prison sentences exceeding four and a half years and the incident caused ongoing distress and increased home security measures.

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