Alexander Isak Robbers Ordered to Repay Only £1 Each from £1.2m Heists

Individuals of an Italian clan of burglars who stole more than £1.2m valued of goods, among them from ex- NUFC forward Isak, have been mandated to return just £1 per person.

Siblings Valentino and Giacomo Nikolov, their sister Jela and her child Charlie Jovanovic journeyed to the northeastern of the UK to burgle multiple homes in spring 2024.

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

At a proceeds of crime proceeding at the court, Jela and the Nikolov brothers were ordered to pay back £1 each while Charlie must pay £1,135.

Particulars of the Break-ins

The judge previously heard the gang arrived by ferry in the United Kingdom on March 27, 2024 and used a RV as their "base of operations", which they stationed at Scotch Corner and Durham rest stops while utilizing a separate vehicle to scout out targets and carry out thefts.

On 31 March they stole more than one million pounds of items such as designer clothing, handbags, jewelry and a CBE medal from a residence on Clayton Road in Jesmond, while the owners were away.

The next evening, the gang entered a house on a gated cul-de-sac in Whitburn, and took luxury bags, jewellery and shoes worth over one hundred thousand pounds.

Following surveillance of Newcastle United's training ground for two days, they then acted at the residence of Swedish player Alexander Isak in Darras Hall on April 4, taking £10,000 in cash, £68,000 worth of jewellery and the player's £120,000 luxury car.

The gang, who were portrayed by the prosecution as experienced itinerant thieves, wore hand coverings and masks, turned their mobile devices on silent as they neared their targets and strapped a license plate, which had been stolen from a garage in Chester-le-Street, on to their vehicle with elastic bands.

They were apprehended in the Birmingham on 13 April.

Court Hearings and Rulings

Valentino Nikolov had pleaded not guilty to the burglary plot but was found guilty by jurors, while his three relations had all submitted admissions to the same charge.

At the criminal gains session, lawyer the prosecution said each of the burglars had profited from their crimes to the amount of £1,266,285.93, which was based on what the affected parties said they had had stolen.

But Charlie was the only one deemed to have any money that could be "realised", namely £1,135.50 which had previously been confiscated by police, the court was informed, with 14 days to be served in prison if he defaulted.

The remaining members had no assets or assets so were directed to make a token amount of £1 each, with one week in prison the consequence if the money was not submitted.

Judge Spragg said if they were discovered with property in the future, "for example driving around in Italy in a fast car or owning a home", the prosecution could initiate new proceedings to "satisfy the sum due".