Alexander Isak Robbers Instructed to Repay Only £1 Each from £1.2m Heists
Individuals of an Italy-based family of thieves who took more than £1.2m worth of goods, including from ex- NUFC striker Isak, have been ordered to pay back only £1 each.
Brothers Valentino Nikolov and Giacomo Nikolov, their female sibling Jela and her child Charlie Jovanovic journeyed to the northeastern of the UK to raid multiple homes in April 2024.
The foursome were imprisoned for between a decade or less in 2025.
At a proceeds of crime hearing at the court, Jela and the Nikolov brothers were ordered to repay £1 each while Charlie must hand over £1,135.
Particulars of the Burglaries
The court previously heard the gang came by boat in the United Kingdom on 27 March 2024 and used a campervan as their "headquarters", which they parked at Scotch Corner and Durham service rest stops while utilizing another car to search for targets and execute thefts.
On March 31 they took over £1m of goods such as high-end fashion, purses, jewellery 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 took designer handbags, valuables and shoes worth more than £100,000.
After scouting out the football club's facility for 48 hours, they then struck at the residence of Swedish striker Mr Isak in Darras Hall on April 4, stealing £10,000 in money, sixty-eight thousand pounds valued of jewelry and the striker's £120,000 Audi RS6.
The group, who were portrayed by prosecutors as professional touring burglars, wore gloves and face coverings, switched their mobile devices 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 elastic bands.
They were apprehended in the Birmingham area on April 13.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
Valentino Nikolov had denied the burglary plot but was found guilty by the court, while his family members had all entered guilty pleas to the identical accusation.
At the proceeds of crime hearing, lawyer the prosecution said each of the defendants had profited from their offenses 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 found to have any funds that could be "realised", specifically £1,135.50 which had previously been confiscated by authorities, the court heard, with 14 days to be spent in jail if he defaulted.
The remaining members had no assets or property so were directed to make a nominal fee of £1 per person, with seven days in prison the consequence if the money was not paid.
Judge Spragg said if they were discovered with assets in the future, "such as operating Italy in a fast car or possessing a home", the prosecution could seek further action to "satisfy the amount outstanding".