Alexander Isak Burglars Instructed to Pay Only £1 Per Person from £1.2 Million Thefts
Individuals of an Italy-based clan of thieves who took over £1.2m worth of goods, including from former NUFC striker Isak, have been mandated to return only £1 per person.
Brothers Valentino and Giacomo Nikolov, their female sibling Jela Jovanovic and her child Charlie Jovanovic travelled to the north-east of the UK to raid multiple homes in spring 2024.
The group of four were jailed for from six and 10 years in 2025.
At a proceeds of crime proceeding at Newcastle Crown Court, Jela Jovanovic and the brothers Nikolov were instructed to repay £1 per person while Charlie must hand over £1,135.
Details of the Break-ins
The court was told the gang arrived by ferry in the UK on March 27, 2024 and employed a RV as their "base of operations", which they parked at a service area and Durham rest stops while using a separate vehicle to scout out targets and execute burglaries.
On 31 March they took over £1m of goods such as high-end fashion, purses, jewellery and a honor from a house on a street in Jesmond, Newcastle, while the owners were on holiday.
The following night, the gang entered a home on a gated cul-de-sac in Whitburn, and stole designer handbags, jewellery and footwear worth more than £100,000.
After scouting out Newcastle United's training ground for 48 hours, they then acted at the residence of Sweden striker Mr Isak in Darras Hall, Ponteland on 4 April, stealing ten thousand pounds in money, £68,000 valued of jewellery and the player's £120,000 luxury car.
The group, who were described by prosecutors as experienced touring thieves, wore gloves and masks, switched their mobile devices on silent as they neared their objectives and strapped a number plate, which had been taken from a auto shop in Chester-le-Street, on to their car with rubber straps.
They were arrested in the Birmingham on 13 April.
Legal Hearings and Sentencing
Valentino Nikolov had denied the burglary plot but was convicted by the court, while his three relations had all submitted admissions to the same charge.
At the criminal gains session, prosecutor Daniel Cordey said each of the burglars had benefited from their crimes to the value of £1,266,285.93, which was based on what the victims 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 previously been confiscated by police, the court was informed, with two weeks to be served in jail if he defaulted.
The remaining members had no money or assets so were directed to make a token amount of £1 each, with seven days in prison the consequence if the money was not submitted.
Judge Robert Spragg said if they were found with property in the future, "for example operating in Italy in a sports car or owning a property", the prosecution could seek new proceedings to "satisfy the amount outstanding".