Alexander Isak Robbers Ordered to Repay Only £1 Per Person from £1.2 Million Thefts

Burglary suspects
Jela Jovanovic confessed to their involvement in the burglaries

Members of an Italy-based clan of thieves who took more than £1.2m worth of goods, among them from ex- Newcastle United striker Isak, have been ordered to return only £1 per person.

Brothers Valentino Nikolov and Giacomo Nikolov, their sister Jela and her son Charlie Jovanovic journeyed to the north-east of England to burgle three houses in spring 2024.

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

At a proceeds of crime proceeding at the court, Jela and the brothers Nikolov were instructed to pay back £1 each while Charlie Jovanovic must hand over over a thousand pounds.

Details of the Break-ins

The judge previously heard the gang came by boat in the United Kingdom on March 27, 2024 and employed a campervan as their "base of operations", which they parked at a service area and Durham service stations while utilizing another car to search for targets and execute thefts.

On March 31 they stole over £1m of items such as designer clothing, handbags, jewelry and a honor from a residence on Clayton Road in Jesmond, Newcastle, while the residents were away.

Valentino Nikolov
Valentino was the sole member of the foursome to deny burglary but was convicted by jurors

The next evening, the crew broke into a home on a private road in Whitburn, South Tyneside, and took designer handbags, valuables and shoes worth more than £100,000.

After scouting out the football club's training ground for two days, they then struck at the residence of Sweden striker Alexander Isak in Darras Hall, Ponteland on 4 April, stealing £10,000 in cash, £68,000 worth of jewellery and the player's one hundred twenty thousand pound luxury car.

The group, who were described by prosecutors as professional itinerant thieves, wore gloves and face coverings, switched their mobile devices on silent as they neared their objectives and attached a number plate, which had been stolen from a auto shop in Chester-le-Street, on to their vehicle with elastic bands.

They were arrested in the Birmingham area on April 13.

Alexander Isak's home
Burglars took money and jewelry valued at £80,000 and an Audi from footballer Isak's property

Legal Hearings and Rulings

Valentino Nikolov had denied the burglary plot but was found guilty by the court, while his family members had all submitted admissions to the identical accusation.

At the proceeds of crime hearing, lawyer the prosecution said each of the burglars had profited from their crimes to the amount of £1,266,285.93, which was based on what the affected parties said they had had stolen.

But Charlie Jovanovic was the only one found to have any funds that could be "realised", namely £1,135.50 which had already been seized by authorities, the judge was informed, with 14 days to be spent in jail if he defaulted.

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

Judge Spragg said if they were found with assets in the future, "for example driving around Italy in a sports car or possessing a property", prosecutors could seek further action to "recover the sum due".

Brian Buchanan
Brian Buchanan

A passionate chef and food writer with over a decade of experience in creating innovative dishes and sharing culinary stories.