Isak Robbers Instructed to Pay Just £1 Each from £1.2m Heists

Burglary suspects
Charlie Jovanovic admitted their involvement in the burglaries

Individuals of an Italian clan of burglars who took over £1.2 million valued of items, including from ex- NUFC forward Isak, have been mandated to pay back only £1 per person.

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

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

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

Particulars of the Burglaries

The judge previously heard the gang came by boat in the UK on March 27, 2024 and employed a RV as their "base of operations", which they parked at Scotch Corner and Durham service rest stops while using another car to scout out properties and carry out thefts.

On March 31 they took more than one million pounds of items including designer clothing, purses, jewellery and a honor from a house on a street in Jesmond, while the owners were on holiday.

Valentino Nikolov
Valentino was the only one of the foursome to deny the charge but was convicted by the jury

The next evening, the crew entered a house on a private road in Whitburn, South Tyneside, and stole luxury bags, jewellery and shoes worth over one hundred thousand pounds.

After scouting out the football club's training ground for two days, they then acted at the home of Swedish striker Mr Isak in Darras Hall on April 4, stealing £10,000 in money, £68,000 valued of jewelry and the striker's £120,000 Audi RS6.

The group, who were described by the prosecution as professional touring burglars, wore gloves and masks, switched their phones off as they approached their objectives and attached a license plate, which had been taken from a garage in Chester-le-Street, on to their vehicle with rubber straps.

They were arrested in the Birmingham area on 13 April.

Alexander Isak's home
Burglars took money and jewelry valued at £80,000 and an Audi from then-Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak's property

Court Proceedings and Rulings

Valentino had pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to burglary but was convicted by jurors, while his three relations had all submitted guilty pleas to the same charge.

At the proceeds of crime session, lawyer Daniel Cordey said every one of the burglars had profited from their offenses to the value of over £1.2 million, which was based on what the affected parties said they had had stolen.

But Charlie Jovanovic was the only one found to have any money that could be "realised", namely over a thousand pounds which had previously been confiscated by authorities, the court was informed, with 14 days to be spent in prison if he defaulted.

The remaining members had no assets or property so were ordered to pay a token amount of £1 each, with seven days in incarceration the consequence if the money was not paid.

The judge Spragg said if they were found with assets in the future, "for example operating in Italy in a sports car or possessing a property", prosecutors could initiate further action to "recover the sum due".

John Stewart
John Stewart

A tech enthusiast and lifestyle blogger passionate about sharing insights on innovation and well-being.