Alexander Isak Robbers Instructed to Repay Only £1 Per Person from £1.2m Heists
Individuals of an Italy-based clan of burglars who took more than £1.2m valued of goods, among them from former Newcastle United striker Isak, have been ordered to pay back just £1 per person.
Brothers Valentino and Giacomo, their sister Jela Jovanovic and her son Charlie Jovanovic journeyed to the northeastern of the UK to raid multiple homes in April 2024.
The foursome were jailed for from six and 10 years in May 2025.
At a proceeds of crime proceeding at the court, Jela and the brothers Nikolov were ordered to repay £1 per person while Charlie Jovanovic must pay £1,135.
Details of the Break-ins
The court was told the gang came by ferry in the United Kingdom on 27 March 2024 and used a RV as their "base of operations", which they stationed at Scotch Corner and Durham service service stations while utilizing another car to scout out properties and execute thefts.
On March 31 they took more than one million pounds of goods such as high-end fashion, handbags, jewelry and a honor from a house on a street in Jesmond, Newcastle, while the owners were away.
The following night, the crew entered a house on a gated cul-de-sac in Whitburn, South Tyneside, and stole designer handbags, valuables and shoes worth over £100,000.
After scouting out the football club's facility for two days, they then struck at the home of Swedish striker Alexander Isak in Darras Hall, Ponteland on 4 April, stealing ten thousand pounds in cash, £68,000 valued of jewelry and the player's £120,000 luxury car.
The group, who were described by prosecutors as experienced touring burglars, wore hand coverings and masks, switched their phones on silent as they neared their objectives and attached a license plate, which had been stolen from a garage in Chester-le-Street, on to their car with elastic bands.
They were apprehended in the Birmingham on 13 April.
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
Valentino Nikolov had pleaded not guilty to the burglary plot but was convicted by jurors, while his family members had all entered guilty pleas to the same charge.
At the criminal gains session, prosecutor the prosecution said every one of the burglars had benefited from their crimes to the amount of over £1.2 million, which was determined by what the victims said they had lost.
But Charlie Jovanovic was the only one found to have any money that could be "realised", specifically over a thousand pounds which had previously been confiscated by authorities, the court heard, with two weeks to be spent in jail if he defaulted.
The remaining members had no money or property so were directed to pay a token amount of £1 each, with seven days in prison the result if the money was not paid.
Judge Robert Spragg said if they were discovered with assets in the coming years, "such as driving around Italy in a fast car or possessing a property", prosecutors could initiate further action to "recover the sum outstanding".