Isak Burglars Ordered to Repay Just £1 Each from £1.2 Million Thefts

Individuals of an Italian family of thieves who took more than £1.2 million worth of items, among them from ex- NUFC striker Alexander Isak, have been ordered to pay back just £1 per person.

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

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

At a proceeds of crime proceeding at Newcastle Crown Court, Jela and the brothers Nikolov were instructed to pay back £1 each while Charlie must pay £1,135.

Details of the Burglaries

The judge previously heard the group came by ferry in the UK on March 27, 2024 and used a RV as their "headquarters", which they stationed at a service area and Durham rest stops while using a separate vehicle to search for targets and execute thefts.

On March 31 they stole over one million pounds of goods including designer clothing, handbags, jewelry and a CBE medal from a residence on a street in Jesmond, Newcastle, while the residents were on holiday.

The next evening, the gang broke into a home on a gated cul-de-sac in Whitburn, and stole designer handbags, valuables and shoes valued at over £100,000.

Following surveillance of the football club's training ground for two days, they then struck at the home of Sweden player Mr Isak in Darras Hall, Ponteland on April 4, taking £10,000 in money, £68,000 worth of jewellery and the player's £120,000 Audi RS6.

The gang, who were described by prosecutors as experienced touring burglars, used hand coverings and face coverings, turned their phones off as they approached their targets and strapped a license plate, which had been stolen from a garage in Chester-le-Street, on to their vehicle with elastic bands.

They were arrested in the Birmingham area on 13 April.

Court Proceedings and Sentencing

Valentino had pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to burglary but was found guilty by the court, while his family members had all submitted admissions to the same charge.

At the criminal gains session, lawyer the prosecution said each of the burglars 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 Jovanovic was the sole individual found to have any funds that could be "realised", namely £1,135.50 which had already been seized by authorities, the court was informed, with two weeks to be served in prison if he defaulted.

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

Judge Robert Spragg said if they were found with property in the future, "for example operating Italy in a sports car or possessing a home", the prosecution could seek new proceedings to "satisfy the amount due".