Alexander Isak Robbers Instructed to Repay Just £1 Per Person from £1.2 Million Thefts

Burglary suspects
Charlie Jovanovic admitted participating in the burglaries

Individuals of an Italy-based clan of burglars who took more than £1.2 million valued of items, including from ex- NUFC striker Alexander Isak, have been ordered to pay back just £1 per person.

Brothers Valentino Nikolov and Giacomo Nikolov, their sister Jela Jovanovic and her son Charlie journeyed to the northeastern of England to burgle three houses in spring 2024.

The group of four were jailed for between a decade or less in 2025.

At a proceeds of crime proceeding at Newcastle Crown Court, Jela and the brothers Nikolov were ordered to repay £1 per person while Charlie must pay over a thousand pounds.

Particulars of the Burglaries

The court previously heard the group arrived by ferry in the UK on 27 March 2024 and employed a RV as their "headquarters", which they stationed at a service area and Durham rest stops while using a separate vehicle to search for targets and carry out burglaries.

On March 31 they took over £1m of items such as designer clothing, purses, jewelry and a CBE medal from a house on Clayton Road in Jesmond, while the owners were away.

Valentino Nikolov
Valentino was the sole member of the group to contest burglary but was found guilty by the jury

The next evening, the crew broke into a home on a private road in Whitburn, and took luxury bags, jewellery and footwear valued at more than one hundred thousand pounds.

Following surveillance of Newcastle United's training ground for two days, they then acted at the residence of Sweden player Alexander Isak in Darras Hall on 4 April, taking ten thousand pounds in money, sixty-eight thousand pounds valued of jewellery and the player's one hundred twenty thousand pound Audi RS6.

The gang, who were described by the prosecution as professional touring burglars, used hand coverings and masks, switched their phones on silent as they approached their targets and strapped a number plate, which had been taken from a auto shop in a town, on to their car with elastic bands.

They were apprehended in the Birmingham area on 13 April.

Alexander Isak's home
Burglars took money and jewellery worth £80,000 and an car from then-Newcastle United striker Isak's home

Legal Proceedings and Sentencing

Valentino Nikolov had pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to burglary but was convicted by the court, while his three relations had all submitted guilty pleas to the identical accusation.

At the proceeds of crime hearing, prosecutor the prosecution said every one of the burglars had profited from their crimes to the amount of £1,266,285.93, which was determined by what the affected parties said they had had stolen.

But Charlie Jovanovic was the sole individual deemed to have any money that could be "recovered", namely £1,135.50 which had previously been confiscated by authorities, the judge heard, with two weeks to be served in jail if he failed to pay.

The remaining members had no assets or assets so were directed to make a token amount of £1 each, with seven days in prison the result if the sum was not submitted.

The judge Robert Spragg said if they were found with assets in the future, "such as driving around Italy in a sports car or possessing a home", the prosecution could initiate further action to "satisfy the sum due".

Steven Rhodes
Steven Rhodes

A seasoned traveler and writer passionate about uncovering hidden gems and sharing cultural insights from her global adventures.