Two Albanian nationals, Denis Puka, 28, and Erisjan Laska, 29, have been sentenced to 56 months in prison each by the Chester Crown Court in the United Kingdom, after being found guilty of a series of well-planned residential burglaries across England. The case has drawn significant public attention, not only because of the scale and organization of the crimes, but also due to the fact that one of the targeted properties belonged to a well-known professional footballer.
The two men were convicted on seven counts of conspiracy to commit burglary, following a crime spree carried out over three consecutive nights in June last year. According to the prosecution, Puka and Laska acted together with a third accomplice who remains unidentified, targeting high-value residential areas in Cheshire and surrounding regions.
Targeting High-Profile and Affluent Areas
Among the properties targeted was the home of Scott Hogan, former striker for Aston Villa and Birmingham City, and currently playing for Milton Keynes Dons. The attempted burglary at Hogan’s residence has become one of the most alarming elements of the case, highlighting the personal and psychological impact such crimes have on victims.
The burglaries were concentrated in affluent and semi-rural areas, including Blackpool, Grappenhall, Knutsford, Northwich, and Warrington. Prosecutors told the court that the defendants deliberately selected locations where they believed valuable items such as luxury watches and jewellery would be found.
In one successful burglary, the group managed to steal a Breitling watch and a Rolex, with a combined value of approximately £9,000. In several other incidents, however, they fled empty-handed after being detected or disturbed.
A “Sophisticated and Well-Planned” Operation
Sentencing the defendants, Judge Steven Everett, Honorary Recorder of Chester, described the criminal activity as “sophisticated and well planned.” The court heard that Puka and Laska had taken deliberate steps to avoid detection, including establishing a temporary base and using equipment commonly associated with organized burglary networks.
The defendants had rented an Airbnb property in Warrington, which they used as an operational base while travelling to and from different locations to commit the burglaries. This allowed them to avoid drawing attention in the neighborhoods they targeted and to store equipment safely between crimes.
They used a Seat Leon vehicle brought from Sheffield, which was fitted with three false registration plates. Inside the car, police later found masks, tools used for forced entry, communication radios, mobile phones, and the fake number plates, all pointing to a high level of preparation and intent.
The Scott Hogan Incident: A Family Traumatised
The most disturbing incident occurred on 7 June at around 11:30 p.m., when the group targeted the home of Scott Hogan in Northwich. At the time of the attempted burglary, Hogan was inside the house with his pregnant wife and their young daughter.
In his victim impact statement, Hogan told the court that he was awakened by the glare of torches shining through the bedroom window. Looking outside, he saw three individuals in his garden. He attempted to pursue them, but they quickly fled the scene.
Hogan described the incident as deeply traumatic, saying it caused sleepless nights, stress, and ongoing anxiety for his entire family. The court heard that the psychological impact of the crime far outweighed any financial loss.
Arrests and Evidence
Puka and Laska were arrested more than a week later, after police located the Seat Leon parked in a residential complex in Warrington. A search of the vehicle proved crucial to the investigation, uncovering key evidence that directly linked the defendants to the burglaries.
The recovered items included:
- Mobile phones
- Dark clothing and gloves
- Burglary tools
- Communication devices
- Multiple fake number plates
The evidence left little room for doubt, and both defendants later pleaded guilty at an earlier court hearing.
Immigration Status and Legal Context
During the proceedings, the court was informed of the defendants’ immigration status. Erisjan Laska has an ongoing application with the UK Home Office and is married to a British citizen. Denis Puka, meanwhile, holds indefinite leave to remain in the United Kingdom.
While immigration consequences were not the primary focus of the sentencing hearing, the case has reignited debate in the UK about cross-border organized crime, the use of short-term rentals as criminal bases, and the challenges faced by law enforcement in tackling mobile burglary gangs.
Wider Impact and Public Reaction
The sentencing has been welcomed by both police and local communities, particularly in Cheshire, where residents had reported a rise in nighttime burglary attempts. UK authorities emphasized that the case demonstrates their commitment to pursuing organized criminal groups and protecting victims, regardless of the perpetrators’ nationality.
For the Albanian community abroad, cases like this often generate concern due to the negative spotlight they place on law-abiding migrants. Community leaders have repeatedly stressed that such crimes are carried out by individuals and should not define an entire community.
Conclusion
The case of Denis Puka and Erisjan Laska stands as a stark reminder of the serious consequences of organized burglary and the lasting harm inflicted on victims. With both men now facing over four and a half years in prison, the court has sent a clear message that planned and repeat offending will be met with substantial custodial sentences.
For Scott Hogan and other victims, the ruling brings a measure of closure, though the emotional scars remain. For authorities, it marks a successful prosecution—but also a warning that vigilance remains essential in combating organized property crime.