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

Burglary suspects
Giacomo Nikolov confessed to their involvement in the crimes

Members of an Italian clan of thieves who took over £1.2m valued of items, including from former Newcastle United forward Isak, have been mandated to return only £1 each.

Brothers Valentino and Giacomo, their female sibling Jela Jovanovic and her son Charlie Jovanovic travelled to the northeastern of the UK to raid multiple homes in April 2024.

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

At a criminal assets hearing at the court, Jela and the brothers Nikolov were ordered to pay back £1 per person while Charlie must pay over a thousand pounds.

Particulars of the Break-ins

The court previously heard the group came by ferry in the United Kingdom on 27 March 2024 and used a RV as their "base of operations", which they stationed at Scotch Corner and Durham rest stops while using a separate vehicle to scout out properties and execute burglaries.

On 31 March they stole over one million pounds of goods including designer clothing, handbags, jewellery and a CBE medal from a residence on Clayton Road in Jesmond, Newcastle, while the residents were away.

Valentino Nikolov
Valentino was the sole member of the group to deny burglary but was convicted by the jury

The following night, the gang entered a house on a private road in Whitburn, and stole luxury bags, jewellery and shoes valued at more than £100,000.

After scouting out the football club's facility for two days, they then struck at the home of Sweden player Mr Isak in Darras Hall on April 4, stealing ten thousand pounds in money, £68,000 worth of jewellery and the striker's £120,000 Audi RS6.

The gang, who were portrayed by the prosecution as professional itinerant thieves, wore hand coverings and masks, turned their phones on silent as they approached their targets 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 apprehended in the Birmingham on April 13.

Alexander Isak's home
Burglars stole money and jewelry valued at eighty thousand pounds and an car from then-Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak's property

Court Proceedings and Sentencing

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

At the criminal gains session, lawyer the prosecution said every one of the burglars had benefited from their offenses to the value of £1,266,285.93, which was determined by what the affected parties said they had had stolen.

But Charlie Jovanovic was the only one found to have any funds that could be "recovered", specifically £1,135.50 which had already been seized by authorities, the court was informed, with 14 days to be spent in prison if he defaulted.

The remaining members had no assets or property so were ordered to pay a nominal fee of £1 each, with seven days in incarceration the result if the sum was not submitted.

Judge Spragg said if they were discovered with property in the future, "for example operating Italy in a fast car or owning a property", the prosecution could seek further action to "satisfy the amount due".

Tiffany Young
Tiffany Young

Elara is a seasoned journalist with a passion for uncovering stories that matter, blending data-driven insights with compelling narratives.