🔗 Share this article

Members of an Italy-based family of burglars who took more than £1.2 million valued of items, including from ex- Newcastle United striker Isak, have been mandated to return just £1 per person.

Brothers Valentino and Giacomo Nikolov, their sister Jela and her child Charlie Jovanovic travelled to the northeastern of the UK to raid multiple homes in spring 2024.

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

At a criminal assets proceeding at the court, Jela Jovanovic and the brothers Nikolov were ordered to pay back £1 each while Charlie must pay over a thousand pounds.

Particulars of the Break-ins

The judge was told the group arrived by ferry in the UK on 27 March 2024 and used a RV as their "base of operations", which they stationed at a service area and Durham rest stops while using another car to scout out targets and execute thefts.

On 31 March they stole over £1m of items such as designer clothing, purses, jewellery and a CBE medal from a house on a street in Jesmond, Newcastle, while the residents were away.

The following night, the gang entered a house on a gated cul-de-sac in Whitburn, South Tyneside, and stole luxury bags, valuables and footwear valued at more than £100,000.

Following surveillance of Newcastle United's training ground for two days, they then acted at the home of Sweden striker Alexander Isak in Darras Hall, Ponteland on April 4, taking £10,000 in money, £68,000 worth of jewelry and the player's £120,000 Audi RS6.

The group, who were portrayed by the prosecution as experienced itinerant thieves, wore gloves and face coverings, turned their mobile devices off as they approached their objectives and attached a number plate, which had been stolen from a auto shop in Chester-le-Street, on to their car with elastic bands.

They were arrested in the Birmingham area on 13 April.

Court Proceedings and Sentencing

Valentino Nikolov 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 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 deemed to have any funds that could be "recovered", specifically over a thousand pounds which had previously been confiscated by police, the judge was informed, with 14 days to be spent in jail if he defaulted.

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

Judge Spragg said if they were discovered with property in the coming years, "such as driving around in Italy in a sports car or possessing a home", the prosecution could initiate further action to "recover the sum outstanding".