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Members of an Italy-based clan of burglars who stole over £1.2 million valued of items, among them from ex- NUFC striker Alexander Isak, have been ordered to return just £1 per person.

Siblings Valentino and Giacomo, their female sibling Jela and her child Charlie journeyed to the northeastern of England to raid three houses in spring 2024.

The foursome were imprisoned for from six and 10 years in May 2025.

At a criminal assets hearing at the court, Jela Jovanovic and the brothers Nikolov were instructed to repay £1 per person while Charlie Jovanovic must pay over a thousand pounds.

Details of the Break-ins

The judge was told the gang came by ferry in the UK on 27 March 2024 and employed a RV as their "headquarters", which they stationed at Scotch Corner and Durham service rest stops while utilizing another car to scout out targets and execute burglaries.

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

The following night, the crew entered a house on a gated cul-de-sac in Whitburn, and stole luxury bags, jewellery and footwear valued at over £100,000.

Following surveillance of Newcastle United's facility for 48 hours, they then struck at the home of Swedish striker Mr Isak in Darras Hall, Ponteland on 4 April, stealing £10,000 in money, £68,000 worth of jewellery and the player's £120,000 Audi RS6.

The group, who were described by the prosecution as experienced itinerant burglars, used hand coverings and face coverings, switched their mobile devices on silent as they approached their objectives and attached a number plate, which had been taken from a garage in a town, on to their vehicle with rubber straps.

They were apprehended in the Birmingham on April 13.

Court Proceedings and Rulings

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

At the criminal gains session, prosecutor Daniel Cordey said each of the burglars had benefited from their crimes to the value of over £1.2 million, which was determined by what the affected parties said they had lost.

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

The remaining members had no assets or assets so were ordered to pay a nominal fee of £1 each, with one week in incarceration the result if the sum was not paid.

Judge Robert Spragg said if they were found with assets in the coming years, "such as driving around in Italy in a sports car or possessing a home", the prosecution could initiate new proceedings to "recover the amount outstanding".