Isak Robbers Instructed to Pay Just £1 Per Person from £1.2 Million Thefts

Individuals of an Italy-based clan of thieves who took more than £1.2m valued of items, including from ex- Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak, have been mandated to pay back just £1 each.

Brothers Valentino Nikolov and Giacomo, their female sibling Jela Jovanovic and her child Charlie Jovanovic journeyed to the northeastern of the UK to raid three houses in spring 2024.

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

At a proceeds of crime hearing at the court, Jela and the brothers Nikolov were instructed to repay £1 per person while Charlie must hand over over a thousand pounds.

Details of the Burglaries

The court previously heard the group came by boat in the UK on 27 March 2024 and used a campervan as their "headquarters", which they stationed at Scotch Corner and Durham service stations while utilizing another car to scout out targets and carry out burglaries.

On 31 March they took over £1m of items including designer clothing, handbags, jewellery and a honor from a house on Clayton Road in Jesmond, while the residents were away.

The next evening, the crew broke into a home on a gated cul-de-sac in Whitburn, and stole luxury bags, jewellery and shoes worth more than £100,000.

Following surveillance of Newcastle United's facility for two days, they then acted at the home of Swedish player Mr Isak in Darras Hall on 4 April, taking £10,000 in money, £68,000 worth of jewelry and the player's one hundred twenty thousand pound Audi RS6.

The gang, who were portrayed by prosecutors as experienced itinerant burglars, used gloves and face coverings, switched their phones on silent as they approached their objectives and strapped a number plate, which had been taken from a auto shop in a town, on to their vehicle with rubber straps.

They were apprehended in the Birmingham on April 13.

Legal Hearings and Rulings

Valentino Nikolov had pleaded not guilty to the burglary plot but was found guilty by the court, while his family members had all entered guilty pleas to the same charge.

At the criminal gains hearing, prosecutor the prosecution said each of the defendants had benefited from their crimes to the value of £1,266,285.93, which was based on what the affected parties said they had had stolen.

But Charlie was the sole individual found to have any money that could be "realised", specifically over a thousand pounds which had already been seized by authorities, the judge heard, with two weeks to be served in prison if he defaulted.

The remaining members had no assets or property so were directed to make a token amount of £1 per person, with one week in prison the result if the sum was not submitted.

Judge Spragg said if they were discovered with assets in the future, "for example driving around in Italy in a fast car or possessing a home", prosecutors could seek further action to "satisfy the sum due".