Alexander Isak Robbers Ordered to Pay Just £1 Each from £1.2 Million Thefts

Burglary suspects
Jela Jovanovic admitted participating in the burglaries

Members of an Italy-based family of thieves who took more than £1.2 million worth of goods, among them from former Newcastle United forward Alexander Isak, have been mandated to pay back just £1 per person.

Siblings Valentino Nikolov and Giacomo Nikolov, their sister Jela Jovanovic and her child Charlie journeyed to the north-east of England to burgle multiple homes in April 2024.

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

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

Details of the Break-ins

The judge previously heard the gang came by ferry in the United Kingdom on March 27, 2024 and employed a RV as their "headquarters", which they stationed at a service area and Durham service rest stops while using another car to search for properties and carry out burglaries.

On 31 March they stole more than £1m of items including high-end fashion, handbags, jewellery and a CBE medal from a residence on Clayton Road in Jesmond, Newcastle, while the residents were on holiday.

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

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

After scouting out Newcastle United's training ground for 48 hours, they then struck at the residence of Swedish player Alexander Isak in Darras Hall, Ponteland on April 4, taking £10,000 in cash, £68,000 worth of jewelry and the player's £120,000 Audi RS6.

The group, who were described by the prosecution as experienced itinerant thieves, wore gloves and face coverings, switched their mobile devices on silent as they neared their objectives and strapped a number plate, which had been stolen from a auto shop in Chester-le-Street, on to their vehicle with rubber straps.

They were arrested in the Birmingham on 13 April.

Alexander Isak's home
Burglars stole money and jewellery valued at £80,000 and an Audi from footballer Alexander Isak's property

Legal Proceedings and Sentencing

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

At the criminal gains hearing, lawyer Daniel Cordey said every one of the burglars had profited from their crimes to the value of £1,266,285.93, which was based on what the victims said they had had stolen.

But Charlie was the sole individual deemed to have any money that could be "realised", specifically £1,135.50 which had already been seized by police, the judge heard, with 14 days to be served in jail if he defaulted.

The other three had no assets or property so were ordered to pay a token amount of £1 per person, with seven days in incarceration the result if the money was not submitted.

The judge Robert Spragg said if they were discovered with assets in the coming years, "such as driving around Italy in a fast car or owning a home", prosecutors could seek further action to "recover the amount due".

Cheryl Bolton
Cheryl Bolton

A film critic with over a decade of experience, specializing in independent cinema and international film festivals.