Alexander Isak Burglars Instructed to Pay Only £1 Each from £1.2 Million Thefts

Burglary suspects
Giacomo Nikolov confessed to participating in the burglaries

Individuals of an Italy-based clan of thieves who stole more than £1.2m valued of items, among them from former Newcastle United striker Isak, have been ordered to pay back only £1 per person.

Siblings Valentino Nikolov and Giacomo, their sister Jela and her child Charlie Jovanovic journeyed to the northeastern of the UK to raid three houses in spring 2024.

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

At a criminal assets proceeding at the court, Jela and the Nikolov brothers were ordered to repay £1 each while Charlie Jovanovic must hand over over a thousand pounds.

Details 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 "base of operations", which they stationed at a service area and Durham rest stops while using another car to search for properties and carry out thefts.

On 31 March they took over £1m of items including high-end fashion, purses, jewellery and a honor from a residence on Clayton Road in Jesmond, Newcastle, while the residents were away.

Valentino Nikolov
Valentino Nikolov was the sole member of the foursome to contest burglary but was convicted by the jury

The following night, the gang entered a home on a gated cul-de-sac in Whitburn, and stole luxury bags, valuables and shoes valued at more than £100,000.

Following surveillance of Newcastle United's facility for two days, they then acted at the residence of Sweden player Mr Isak in Darras Hall on April 4, taking £10,000 in money, £68,000 worth of jewelry and the striker's £120,000 luxury car.

The gang, who were described by prosecutors as professional touring thieves, used gloves and masks, turned their phones off as they neared their objectives and strapped a number plate, which had been taken from a auto shop in a town, on to their car with rubber straps.

They were apprehended in the Birmingham on April 13.

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

Legal Proceedings and Sentencing

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

At the criminal gains hearing, lawyer the prosecution said every one of the defendants had profited from their offenses to the value of £1,266,285.93, which was based on what the victims said they had lost.

But Charlie was the sole individual found to have any money that could be "recovered", namely £1,135.50 which had already been seized by authorities, the judge was informed, with 14 days to be spent in prison if he failed to pay.

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

The judge Robert Spragg said if they were found with property in the future, "such as driving around Italy in a sports car or possessing a property", prosecutors could initiate further action to "satisfy the sum outstanding".

Elizabeth Hernandez
Elizabeth Hernandez

A seasoned gaming analyst with over a decade of experience in online casinos, specializing in slot reviews and player strategies.