Footie star chased off burglars who focused his home whereas he and pregnant spouse slept
An ex-international soccer star and his pregnant wife were left suffering ‘huge emotional distress’ after being woken up by torchlight being shone through their bedroom window
Scott Hogan and his wife were left fearful after the attempted break-in(Image: UEFA via Getty Images)
An international footie star chased off three armed burglars who targeted his home after he and his pregnant wife were woken by torchlight during the attempted break-in.
Albanians Denis Puka, 28, Erisjan Laska, 29, and an unidentified third man booked an Airbnb as a base for their three-night crime spree last June. They used a car with false registration plates to tour the area around Warrington with with masks, tools and walkie-talkies.
Their targets included the Northwich home of ex-Republic of Ireland international Scott Hogan, 33, who gave chase and the trio ran off. Chester Crown Court heard Hogan’s pregnant wife and his young daughter were also in the house at the time.
Nothing was stolen, said the prosecutor, but Mr Hogan had since installed a new security system to protect his young family. In a victim personal statement read to the court, Mr Hogan said the incident had “led to many sleepless nights full of stress and anxiety”.
The former Aston Villa and Birmingham City star, now on the books at MK Dons, added: “I can’t put into words completely what a dramatic effect this has had on me and my family.”
Two addresses in Blackpool were previously targeted on the evening of June 5, with the duo ransacking every room except the bedroom where their victims were sleeping, although nothing was stolen on either occasion.
They struck at properties in Grappenhall, Knutsford and Northwich in Cheshire the following night. They again left empty-handed from the first two raids after they were disturbed.
But they stole a Breitling watch and a Rolex watch – worth £9,000 in total – from a mansion house in Northwich while the householders were away on holiday.
Prosecutor Nardeen Nemat said the men went on to purchase crowbars from B&Q in Warrington on June 7 ahead of the next two targets – a mansion house in Warrington, which they fled after they were disturbed, and Mr Hogan’s home.
They were arrested after the Seat Leon was recovered from a housing estate in Warrington more than a week later with various items found inside including mobile phones, clothing worn by the defendants, tools and the false registration plates.
Laska, a father-of-two married to a British woman in Sheffield, has an immigration application pending. Puka is living in Crediton, Devon. Both admitted conspiracy to commit burglary.
Judge Steven Everett, the Honorary Recorder of Chester told them:”“What is clear is that this was a sophisticated, well-planned conspiracy. Each of you should understand the sheer devastation you caused by your selfish and despicable acts.
“Mr Hogan was woken up by a torch in his face. What a frightening and terrible experience that must have been.”
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