🔗 Share this article

Individuals of an Italy-based clan of burglars who took over £1.2 million worth of items, among them from former NUFC forward Alexander Isak, have been mandated to return only £1 each.

Siblings Valentino Nikolov and Giacomo, their sister Jela Jovanovic and her son Charlie travelled to the north-east of the UK to raid multiple homes in April 2024.

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

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

Particulars of the Break-ins

The judge previously heard the group came by boat in the United Kingdom on 27 March 2024 and employed a RV as their "base of operations", which they stationed at a service area and Durham rest stops while utilizing another car to scout out properties and carry out thefts.

On March 31 they took over £1m of goods such as high-end fashion, handbags, jewelry and a CBE medal from a residence on a street in Jesmond, while the residents were on holiday.

The next evening, the gang entered a home on a gated cul-de-sac in Whitburn, South Tyneside, and stole luxury bags, jewellery and footwear worth over £100,000.

After scouting out the football club's training ground for two days, they then struck at the residence of Swedish striker Mr Isak in Darras Hall, Ponteland on April 4, stealing £10,000 in cash, sixty-eight thousand pounds worth of jewellery and the striker's £120,000 Audi RS6.

The group, who were described by prosecutors as professional itinerant burglars, wore gloves and masks, switched their mobile devices on silent as they neared their objectives and strapped a number plate, which had been stolen from a garage in Chester-le-Street, on to their vehicle with elastic bands.

They were apprehended in the Birmingham area on April 13.

Court Hearings and Sentencing

Valentino had denied the burglary plot but was found guilty by the court, while his family members had all entered guilty pleas to the same charge.

At the criminal gains hearing, prosecutor Daniel Cordey said every one of the burglars had benefited from their crimes to the amount of over £1.2 million, which was determined by what the victims said they had lost.

But Charlie was the only one deemed to have any money that could be "realised", namely over a thousand pounds which had already been seized by police, the judge was informed, with two weeks to be spent in jail if he failed to pay.

The remaining members had no money or property so were directed to pay a nominal fee of £1 each, with seven days in prison the consequence if the sum was not paid.

The judge Robert Spragg said if they were found with assets in the coming years, "such as operating Italy in a fast car or possessing a home", prosecutors could seek further action to "recover the sum due".