Alexander Isak Burglars Ordered to Repay Only £1 Per Person from £1.2m Heists
Members of an Italian clan of burglars who took more than £1.2 million worth of items, among them from ex- Newcastle United forward Isak, have been mandated to return just £1 each.
Brothers Valentino Nikolov and Giacomo Nikolov, their female sibling Jela Jovanovic and her child Charlie Jovanovic travelled to the north-east of the UK to raid three houses in April 2024.
The group of four were imprisoned for from six and 10 years in 2025.
At a proceeds of crime proceeding at the court, Jela Jovanovic and the Nikolov brothers were instructed to repay £1 per person while Charlie must hand over £1,135.
Particulars of the Break-ins
The court previously heard the group came by ferry in the United Kingdom on 27 March 2024 and used a campervan as their "base of operations", which they stationed at a service area and Durham service stations while using a separate vehicle to search for targets and execute burglaries.
On March 31 they stole more than £1m of items such as designer clothing, purses, jewellery and a honor from a residence on a street in Jesmond, while the residents were away.
The following night, the gang broke into a house on a gated cul-de-sac in Whitburn, South Tyneside, and stole luxury bags, jewellery and footwear valued at more than one hundred thousand pounds.
Following surveillance of Newcastle United's facility for two days, they then struck at the home of Swedish player Alexander Isak in Darras Hall on April 4, stealing ten thousand pounds in cash, £68,000 valued of jewelry and the striker's £120,000 Audi RS6.
The group, who were described by the prosecution as experienced touring thieves, wore gloves and masks, switched their mobile devices off as they approached their objectives and attached a license plate, which had been taken from a garage in Chester-le-Street, on to their vehicle with elastic bands.
They were apprehended in the Birmingham on April 13.
Court Proceedings and Rulings
Valentino had pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to burglary but was found guilty by the court, while his family members had all submitted guilty pleas to the same charge.
At the criminal gains session, lawyer the prosecution said each of the defendants had profited from their offenses to the amount of £1,266,285.93, which was based on what the affected parties said they had lost.
But Charlie Jovanovic was the only one found to have any money that could be "recovered", specifically £1,135.50 which had already been seized by authorities, the court was informed, with two weeks to be spent in prison if he failed to pay.
The remaining members had no assets or property so were directed to pay a nominal fee of £1 per person, with one week in incarceration the consequence if the sum was not submitted.
Judge Robert Spragg said if they were found with assets in the coming years, "for example operating in Italy in a sports car or owning a home", the prosecution could initiate further action to "satisfy the amount outstanding".