Isak Burglars Ordered to Pay Just £1 Each from £1.2m Thefts
Individuals of an Italian family of burglars who took more than £1.2 million valued of items, among them from former NUFC forward Isak, have been ordered to return only £1 per person.
Brothers Valentino and Giacomo Nikolov, their female sibling Jela Jovanovic and her child Charlie Jovanovic travelled to the northeastern of the UK to raid multiple homes in spring 2024.
The foursome were imprisoned for between six and 10 years in May 2025.
At a criminal assets proceeding at Newcastle Crown Court, Jela and the brothers Nikolov were instructed to repay £1 per person while Charlie Jovanovic must hand over £1,135.
Details of the Break-ins
The court previously heard the gang came by ferry in the United Kingdom on 27 March 2024 and used a RV as their "headquarters", which they stationed at a service area and Durham rest stops while using another car to scout out targets and execute burglaries.
On 31 March they took more than £1m of goods including high-end fashion, handbags, jewellery and a honor from a residence on a street in Jesmond, while the residents were away.
The following night, the gang entered a house on a private road in Whitburn, and took luxury bags, jewellery and shoes valued at over £100,000.
After scouting out Newcastle United's facility for two days, they then struck at the home of Sweden striker Alexander Isak in Darras Hall on April 4, stealing ten thousand pounds in cash, £68,000 valued of jewelry and the striker's one hundred twenty thousand pound Audi RS6.
The gang, who were described by prosecutors as professional touring thieves, used hand coverings and masks, turned their mobile devices off as they neared their objectives and attached a license plate, which had been stolen from a garage in Chester-le-Street, on to their vehicle with elastic bands.
They were arrested in the Birmingham area on April 13.
Legal Hearings and Rulings
Valentino had pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to burglary but was convicted by the court, while his three relations had all entered admissions to the same charge.
At the proceeds of crime hearing, prosecutor Daniel Cordey said each of the burglars had benefited from their crimes to the amount of £1,266,285.93, which was determined by what the victims said they had had stolen.
But Charlie Jovanovic was the sole individual found to have any money that could be "realised", specifically £1,135.50 which had already been seized by police, the court was informed, with 14 days to be served in prison if he defaulted.
The other three had no money or property so were directed to pay a nominal fee of £1 per person, with seven days in prison the consequence if the sum was not submitted.
The judge Spragg said if they were found with property in the future, "for example operating Italy in a sports car or possessing a property", prosecutors could seek further action to "recover the amount due".