Isak Burglars Instructed to Repay Only £1 Each from £1.2 Million Thefts

Individuals of an Italy-based family of thieves who stole more than £1.2 million worth of goods, among them from ex- NUFC striker Alexander Isak, have been ordered to pay back just £1 per person.

Siblings Valentino Nikolov and Giacomo Nikolov, their sister Jela and her child Charlie journeyed to the north-east 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 hearing at Newcastle Crown Court, Jela Jovanovic and the Nikolov brothers were ordered to pay back £1 per person while Charlie must pay £1,135.

Details of the Burglaries

The court previously heard the gang came by ferry in the UK on March 27, 2024 and used a campervan as their "base of operations", which they parked at a service area and Durham rest stops while using a separate vehicle to scout out properties and execute burglaries.

On March 31 they took more than one million pounds of items including designer clothing, purses, jewellery and a honor from a house on Clayton Road in Jesmond, while the owners were away.

The next evening, the crew entered a house on a private road in Whitburn, South Tyneside, and took designer handbags, jewellery and shoes worth more than £100,000.

After scouting out Newcastle United's training ground for 48 hours, they then acted at the home of Sweden striker Mr Isak in Darras Hall, Ponteland on 4 April, stealing £10,000 in money, £68,000 valued of jewellery and the player's £120,000 Audi RS6.

The gang, who were described by the prosecution as professional touring burglars, wore gloves and face coverings, turned their phones off as they approached their objectives and attached a number plate, which had been taken from a auto shop in Chester-le-Street, on to their car with elastic bands.

They were arrested in the Birmingham area on 13 April.

Legal Proceedings and Rulings

Valentino had denied conspiracy to burglary but was found guilty by the court, while his three relations had all entered admissions to the same charge.

At the criminal gains hearing, prosecutor Daniel Cordey said each of the burglars had benefited from their crimes to the amount of over £1.2 million, which was based on what the affected parties said they had lost.

But Charlie Jovanovic was the only one deemed to have any money that could be "realised", specifically over a thousand pounds which had previously been confiscated by authorities, the court heard, with 14 days to be served in prison 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 sum was not submitted.

Judge Spragg said if they were discovered with property in the future, "for example driving around Italy in a sports car or possessing a property", the prosecution could initiate new proceedings to "recover the amount outstanding".