Alexander Isak Robbers Ordered to Repay Just £1 Per Person from £1.2 Million Heists

Burglary suspects
Jela Jovanovic admitted their involvement in the burglaries

Individuals of an Italy-based clan of thieves who stole over £1.2 million worth of goods, among them from ex- NUFC forward Alexander Isak, have been ordered to pay back just £1 each.

Brothers Valentino and Giacomo, their sister Jela Jovanovic and her child Charlie journeyed to the north-east of the UK to burgle three houses in April 2024.

The foursome were jailed for from a decade or less in May 2025.

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

Particulars of the Break-ins

The court previously heard the group came by ferry in the United Kingdom on 27 March 2024 and used a RV as their "headquarters", which they parked at a service area and Durham service service stations while using another car to search for targets and execute burglaries.

On 31 March they stole over one million pounds of goods including high-end fashion, handbags, jewellery and a honor from a residence 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 the jury

The next evening, the gang broke into a home on a private road in Whitburn, South Tyneside, and took luxury bags, jewellery and footwear valued at over £100,000.

After scouting out the football club's training ground for 48 hours, they then struck at the home of Sweden striker Mr Isak in Darras Hall on 4 April, taking £10,000 in cash, sixty-eight thousand pounds valued of jewellery and the player's £120,000 Audi RS6.

The group, who were portrayed by the prosecution as experienced touring thieves, used hand coverings and face coverings, switched their phones on silent as they neared their targets and strapped a number plate, which had been stolen from a garage in a town, on to their car with elastic bands.

They were arrested in the Birmingham area on April 13.

Alexander Isak's home
Thieves stole money and jewelry worth eighty thousand pounds and an Audi from then-Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak's home

Legal Proceedings and Rulings

Valentino Nikolov had denied conspiracy to burglary but was convicted by the court, while his three relations had all entered guilty pleas to the same charge.

At the criminal gains hearing, prosecutor Daniel Cordey said every one of the defendants had profited from their crimes to the value of over £1.2 million, which was based on what the victims said they had had stolen.

But Charlie Jovanovic was the only one found to have any money that could be "recovered", namely over a thousand pounds which had already been seized by authorities, the judge heard, with two weeks to be served in jail if he defaulted.

The other three had no money or property so were directed to pay a nominal fee of £1 per person, with one week in prison the result if the money was not paid.

Judge Spragg said if they were discovered with assets in the coming years, "such as operating Italy in a fast car or possessing a home", prosecutors could initiate further action to "satisfy the sum due".

James Haynes
James Haynes

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