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

Burglary suspects
Jela Jovanovic admitted their involvement in the burglaries

Members of an Italian clan of burglars who took more than £1.2m worth of goods, among them from former NUFC forward Isak, have been mandated to return just £1 each.

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

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

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

Details of the Break-ins

The court was told the gang arrived by boat in the UK on March 27, 2024 and employed a RV as their "headquarters", which they parked at a service area and Durham service service stations while using another car to scout out properties and carry out thefts.

On 31 March they stole over one million pounds of goods such as designer clothing, purses, jewelry and a honor from a house on a street in Jesmond, Newcastle, while the residents were on holiday.

Valentino Nikolov
Valentino was the sole member of the group to contest burglary but was found guilty by jurors

The next evening, the crew broke into a home on a gated cul-de-sac in Whitburn, and took designer handbags, valuables 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 residence of Swedish player Mr Isak in Darras Hall, Ponteland on 4 April, stealing £10,000 in money, £68,000 valued of jewellery and the striker's £120,000 luxury car.

The group, who were portrayed by prosecutors as experienced touring burglars, used gloves and masks, turned their mobile devices on silent as they neared their targets and attached a number plate, which had been stolen from a garage in a town, on to their car with elastic bands.

They were apprehended in the Birmingham on 13 April.

Alexander Isak's home
Burglars took money and jewellery valued at £80,000 and an car from footballer Alexander Isak's home

Court Proceedings and Rulings

Valentino Nikolov had denied the burglary plot but was found guilty by the court, while his three relations had all entered admissions to the identical accusation.

At the proceeds of crime session, lawyer the prosecution said every one of the burglars had benefited from their crimes to the value of £1,266,285.93, which was determined by what the victims said they had had stolen.

But Charlie was the only one found to have any money that could be "recovered", specifically over a thousand pounds which had previously been confiscated by police, the court heard, with 14 days to be spent in jail if he failed to pay.

The remaining members had no money or property so were directed to make a nominal fee of £1 each, with one week in prison the consequence if the sum was not submitted.

Judge Spragg said if they were found with assets in the coming years, "for example driving around in Italy in a fast car or possessing a home", the prosecution could seek further action to "satisfy the sum due".

Juan Wilson
Juan Wilson

Lena is a passionate gamer and tech journalist with over a decade of experience covering the gaming industry and reviewing new releases.