🔗 Share this article

Individuals of an Italy-based clan of burglars who took over £1.2 million valued of items, among them from ex- Newcastle United forward Alexander Isak, have been mandated to return only £1 each.

Brothers Valentino Nikolov and Giacomo, their female sibling Jela Jovanovic and her son Charlie Jovanovic travelled to the north-east of England to raid multiple homes in spring 2024.

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

At a proceeds of crime proceeding at the court, Jela and the brothers Nikolov were instructed to repay £1 each while Charlie Jovanovic must pay over a thousand pounds.

Particulars of the Burglaries

The court was told the gang arrived by ferry in the UK on 27 March 2024 and employed a campervan as their "base of operations", which they parked at a service area and Durham service stations while utilizing a separate vehicle to scout out properties and carry out thefts.

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

The following night, the gang broke into a home on a private road in Whitburn, South Tyneside, and took luxury bags, jewellery and shoes worth over £100,000.

Following surveillance of Newcastle United's facility for 48 hours, they then struck at the home of Swedish striker Mr Isak in Darras Hall, Ponteland on 4 April, taking ten thousand pounds in cash, sixty-eight thousand pounds valued of jewellery and the player's one hundred twenty thousand pound luxury car.

The group, who were portrayed by prosecutors as professional touring thieves, wore gloves and masks, turned their phones on silent as they neared their objectives and attached a number 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 April 13.

Court Proceedings and Sentencing

Valentino had pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to burglary but was found guilty by jurors, while his three relations had all entered guilty pleas to the identical accusation.

At the criminal gains session, lawyer Daniel Cordey said each of the burglars had benefited from their crimes to the amount of over £1.2 million, which was determined by what the affected parties said they had lost.

But Charlie was the only one deemed to have any money that could be "recovered", namely £1,135.50 which had previously been confiscated by authorities, the court heard, with 14 days to be spent in jail if he failed to pay.

The remaining members had no money or assets so were ordered to pay a token amount of £1 per person, with seven days in prison the result if the money was not submitted.

Judge Spragg said if they were discovered with property in the future, "such as driving around in Italy in a sports car or owning a property", the prosecution could seek new proceedings to "satisfy the amount outstanding".