Isak Robbers Instructed to Repay Just £1 Each from £1.2 Million Heists

Burglary suspects
Jela Jovanovic confessed to their involvement in the burglaries

Individuals of an Italian clan of thieves who stole over £1.2m worth of goods, including from ex- Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak, have been ordered to return just £1 each.

Brothers Valentino and Giacomo, their sister Jela and her son Charlie journeyed to the northeastern of the UK to raid three houses in April 2024.

The group of four were imprisoned for between six and 10 years in 2025.

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

Details of the Break-ins

The judge was told the group came by ferry in the UK on March 27, 2024 and used a campervan as their "base of operations", which they parked at a service area and Durham rest stops while utilizing a separate vehicle to search for targets and carry out thefts.

On March 31 they took over one million pounds of items such as designer clothing, purses, jewellery and a honor from a residence on Clayton Road in Jesmond, while the residents were away.

Valentino Nikolov
Valentino was the only one of the foursome to contest burglary but was found guilty by jurors

The next evening, the gang broke into a house on a gated cul-de-sac in Whitburn, and stole designer handbags, jewellery and shoes valued at more than £100,000.

After scouting out the football club's training ground for 48 hours, they then acted at the home of Swedish player Alexander Isak in Darras Hall on 4 April, taking £10,000 in cash, sixty-eight thousand pounds worth of jewelry and the player's one hundred twenty thousand pound Audi RS6.

The group, who were described by prosecutors as experienced itinerant burglars, used gloves and masks, switched their phones off 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 April 13.

Alexander Isak's home
Burglars took cash and jewellery worth eighty thousand pounds and an Audi from footballer Alexander Isak's property

Legal Hearings and Sentencing

Valentino had pleaded not guilty to the burglary plot but was found guilty by the court, while his family members had all submitted admissions to the same charge.

At the proceeds of crime session, lawyer Daniel Cordey said every one of the defendants had benefited from their offenses to the amount of £1,266,285.93, which was determined by what the affected parties said they had had stolen.

But Charlie was the only one found to have any funds that could be "realised", namely £1,135.50 which had previously been confiscated by police, the judge was informed, with two weeks to be served in prison if he defaulted.

The remaining members had no assets or assets so were directed to make a nominal fee of £1 per person, with seven days in incarceration the result if the sum was not paid.

The judge Robert Spragg said if they were discovered with property in the coming years, "for example operating Italy in a fast car or possessing a home", prosecutors could seek further action to "satisfy the amount due".

Ashley Duran
Ashley Duran

Cybersecurity expert and tech writer focused on digital privacy and secure data management strategies.