Alexander Isak Robbers Ordered to Repay Just £1 Per Person from £1.2m Thefts
Individuals of an Italian family of thieves who stole more than £1.2 million valued of items, including from ex- NUFC forward Isak, have been ordered to pay back only £1 per person.
Brothers Valentino and Giacomo Nikolov, their sister Jela and her child Charlie Jovanovic journeyed to the northeastern of England to burgle multiple homes in spring 2024.
The group of four were jailed for from six and 10 years in May 2025.
At a proceeds of crime proceeding at Newcastle Crown Court, Jela Jovanovic and the brothers Nikolov were instructed to pay back £1 per person while Charlie Jovanovic must pay £1,135.
Details of the Break-ins
The court previously heard the group came by boat in the UK on March 27, 2024 and used a RV as their "headquarters", which they stationed at Scotch Corner and Durham service rest stops while utilizing another car to search for targets and execute thefts.
On 31 March they stole over £1m of goods including designer clothing, handbags, jewellery and a CBE medal from a house on a street in Jesmond, Newcastle, while the residents were away.
The following night, the gang broke into a home on a gated cul-de-sac in Whitburn, and stole luxury bags, valuables and footwear valued at more than one hundred thousand pounds.
Following surveillance of Newcastle United's facility for two days, they then acted at the residence of Swedish striker Mr Isak in Darras Hall on April 4, stealing £10,000 in money, £68,000 worth of jewellery and the player's £120,000 luxury car.
The gang, who were portrayed by prosecutors as professional touring burglars, used hand coverings and masks, turned their mobile devices off as they approached their objectives and attached a number plate, which had been stolen from a garage in a town, on to their car with elastic bands.
They were arrested in the Birmingham area on 13 April.
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
Valentino had pleaded not guilty to the burglary plot but was found guilty by the court, while his family members had all entered admissions to the same charge.
At the proceeds of crime hearing, lawyer 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 Jovanovic was the only one deemed to have any money that could be "realised", namely over a thousand pounds which had already been seized by police, the judge was informed, with two weeks to be spent in jail if he defaulted.
The remaining members had no assets or property so were directed to make a token amount of £1 each, with one week in prison the consequence if the sum was not submitted.
The judge Robert Spragg said if they were found with assets in the coming years, "for example driving around in Italy in a fast car or possessing a property", the prosecution could initiate new proceedings to "satisfy the amount due".