Isak Burglars Instructed to Pay Just £1 Each from £1.2 Million Heists
Individuals of an Italy-based clan of thieves who took over £1.2m valued of goods, among them from ex- Newcastle United forward Alexander Isak, have been ordered to pay back only £1 each.
Brothers Valentino Nikolov and Giacomo, their female sibling Jela Jovanovic and her child Charlie travelled to the northeastern of the UK to raid three houses in April 2024.
The foursome were jailed for between six and 10 years in 2025.
At a proceeds of crime proceeding at Newcastle Crown Court, Jela and the brothers Nikolov were instructed to pay back £1 each while Charlie must hand over over a thousand pounds.
Particulars of the Break-ins
The judge previously heard the group arrived by boat in the United Kingdom on 27 March 2024 and employed a RV as their "base of operations", which they stationed at a service area and Durham rest stops while using another car to search for targets and carry out burglaries.
On 31 March they took over one million pounds of items such as designer clothing, handbags, jewelry and a CBE medal from a residence on a street in Jesmond, while the residents were on holiday.
The following night, the crew entered a home on a private road in Whitburn, and took designer handbags, jewellery and footwear valued at more than one hundred thousand pounds.
Following surveillance of Newcastle United's training ground for two days, they then struck at the residence of Swedish striker Mr Isak in Darras Hall, Ponteland on April 4, taking £10,000 in money, £68,000 valued of jewellery and the striker's one hundred twenty thousand pound Audi RS6.
The group, who were portrayed by the prosecution as experienced touring burglars, used hand coverings and face coverings, turned their mobile devices off as they approached their targets and attached a number plate, which had been taken from a auto shop in Chester-le-Street, on to their vehicle with elastic bands.
They were arrested in the Birmingham on April 13.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
Valentino had denied conspiracy to burglary but was convicted by the court, while his three relations had all submitted admissions to the same charge.
At the criminal gains hearing, prosecutor Daniel Cordey said each of the defendants had benefited from their offenses to the value of over £1.2 million, which was based on what the affected parties said they had lost.
But Charlie Jovanovic was the sole individual found to have any funds that could be "realised", namely £1,135.50 which had already been seized by authorities, the judge heard, with 14 days to be spent in prison if he defaulted.
The remaining members had no assets or assets so were directed to make a nominal fee of £1 each, with seven days in prison the consequence if the sum was not submitted.
The judge Robert Spragg said if they were found with assets in the future, "such as operating in Italy in a fast car or owning a property", the prosecution could seek new proceedings to "satisfy the sum outstanding".