Isak Burglars Instructed to Repay Just £1 Each from £1.2m Heists

Members of an Italy-based clan of burglars who took over £1.2 million worth of goods, including from ex- Newcastle United striker Isak, have been ordered to pay back only £1 per person.

Siblings Valentino Nikolov and Giacomo Nikolov, their female sibling Jela Jovanovic and her son Charlie journeyed to the north-east of England to burgle multiple homes in April 2024.

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

At a proceeds of crime proceeding at Newcastle Crown Court, Jela and the Nikolov brothers were instructed to repay £1 per person while Charlie Jovanovic must hand over £1,135.

Particulars of the Burglaries

The judge previously heard the gang came by boat in the United Kingdom on 27 March 2024 and used a RV as their "headquarters", which they stationed at a service area and Durham service stations while using a separate vehicle to search for targets and execute burglaries.

On 31 March they stole more than £1m of goods including high-end fashion, purses, jewelry and a honor from a residence on a street in Jesmond, while the residents were away.

The following night, the crew entered a house on a private road in Whitburn, South Tyneside, and stole luxury bags, jewellery and shoes valued at over one hundred thousand pounds.

Following surveillance of the football club's facility for two days, they then acted at the residence of Swedish striker Alexander Isak in Darras Hall on 4 April, stealing ten thousand pounds in money, £68,000 valued of jewellery and the player's one hundred twenty thousand pound Audi RS6.

The gang, who were described by the prosecution as experienced touring thieves, used gloves and masks, switched their phones on silent as they approached their targets and strapped a license plate, which had been stolen from a garage in Chester-le-Street, on to their vehicle with rubber straps.

They were apprehended in the Birmingham on 13 April.

Legal Hearings and Sentencing

Valentino Nikolov had denied conspiracy to burglary but was found guilty by jurors, while his family members had all entered guilty pleas to the same charge.

At the criminal gains hearing, prosecutor Daniel Cordey said every one of the defendants had benefited from their crimes to the value of over £1.2 million, which was based on what the victims said they had had stolen.

But Charlie was the only one deemed to have any funds that could be "recovered", namely over a thousand pounds which had previously been confiscated by authorities, the court was informed, 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 pay a token amount of £1 per person, with one week in prison the result if the money was not submitted.

Judge Spragg said if they were found with property in the future, "such as driving around in Italy in a fast car or owning a home", the prosecution could seek further action to "satisfy the amount due".