Alexander Isak Burglars Ordered to Repay Only £1 Each from £1.2 Million Heists

Members of an Italy-based clan of burglars who stole more than £1.2m worth of items, including from ex- Newcastle United forward Isak, have been ordered to pay back just £1 per person.

Brothers Valentino and Giacomo Nikolov, their female sibling Jela Jovanovic and her son Charlie travelled to the north-east of England to burgle three houses in April 2024.

The foursome were jailed for from six and 10 years in 2025.

At a criminal assets hearing at Newcastle Crown Court, Jela and the Nikolov brothers were instructed to pay back £1 each while Charlie Jovanovic must hand over £1,135.

Details of the Break-ins

The judge previously heard the group arrived by ferry in the UK on 27 March 2024 and employed a RV as their "headquarters", which they stationed at Scotch Corner and Durham rest stops while using another car to search for properties and execute thefts.

On March 31 they took over £1m of items such as designer clothing, purses, jewelry and a honor from a house on Clayton Road in Jesmond, Newcastle, while the owners were away.

The following night, the gang entered a home on a gated cul-de-sac in Whitburn, South Tyneside, and took designer handbags, valuables and footwear worth over £100,000.

After scouting out Newcastle United's training ground for two days, they then struck at the residence of Swedish striker Mr Isak in Darras Hall, Ponteland on April 4, stealing ten thousand pounds in cash, sixty-eight thousand pounds worth of jewelry and the striker's one hundred twenty thousand pound luxury car.

The gang, who were described by the prosecution as professional touring burglars, used gloves and face coverings, turned their phones off as they approached their objectives and strapped a number plate, which had been taken from a auto shop in Chester-le-Street, on to their vehicle with rubber straps.

They were arrested in the Birmingham area on April 13.

Court Proceedings and Rulings

Valentino had pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to burglary but was convicted by jurors, while his family members had all submitted guilty pleas to the same charge.

At the proceeds of crime hearing, lawyer Daniel Cordey said every one of the burglars had benefited from their crimes to the amount of over £1.2 million, which was based on what the victims said they had had stolen.

But Charlie was the only one deemed to have any money that could be "realised", specifically over a thousand pounds which had previously been confiscated by police, the judge heard, with 14 days to be served in prison if he failed to pay.

The remaining members had no assets or property so were directed to make a nominal fee of £1 each, with seven days in incarceration the result if the money was not paid.

Judge Robert Spragg said if they were found with property in the future, "for example operating Italy in a fast car or possessing a home", the prosecution could initiate further action to "satisfy the sum due".