Isak Robbers Instructed to Repay Just £1 Each from £1.2m Heists

Individuals of an Italy-based family of thieves who took over £1.2m valued of goods, including from ex- Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak, have been mandated to pay back only £1 each.

Siblings Valentino and Giacomo Nikolov, their sister Jela Jovanovic and her son Charlie Jovanovic travelled to the northeastern of England to raid multiple homes in April 2024.

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

At a criminal assets hearing at Newcastle Crown Court, Jela Jovanovic and the brothers Nikolov were ordered to pay back £1 per person while Charlie must pay £1,135.

Details of the Break-ins

The judge was told the group came by ferry in the UK on March 27, 2024 and used a RV as their "base of operations", which they parked at a service area and Durham service stations while utilizing a separate vehicle to scout out properties and execute burglaries.

On March 31 they stole over one million pounds of items such as designer clothing, purses, jewellery and a CBE medal from a residence on Clayton Road in Jesmond, while the residents were on holiday.

The next evening, the crew entered a house on a private road in Whitburn, South Tyneside, and stole designer handbags, valuables and shoes valued at more than one hundred thousand pounds.

Following surveillance of the football club's facility for two days, they then struck at the home of Sweden striker Mr Isak in Darras Hall, Ponteland on April 4, stealing ten thousand pounds in money, £68,000 worth of jewellery and the player's one hundred twenty thousand pound Audi RS6.

The gang, who were described by prosecutors as experienced itinerant burglars, wore gloves and masks, switched their phones on silent as they approached their objectives and strapped a number plate, which had been stolen from a auto shop in Chester-le-Street, on to their vehicle with rubber straps.

They were apprehended in the Birmingham area on April 13.

Court Hearings and Rulings

Valentino had denied the burglary plot but was convicted by jurors, while his family members had all entered guilty pleas to the identical accusation.

At the proceeds of crime session, lawyer the prosecution said every one of the burglars had profited from their offenses to the amount of over £1.2 million, which was based on what the affected parties said they had had stolen.

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

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

The judge Spragg said if they were found with property in the future, "for example operating in Italy in a fast car or possessing a property", prosecutors could seek further action to "satisfy the amount due".