Isak Burglars Ordered to Pay Just £1 Per Person from £1.2m Thefts

Burglary suspects
Jela Jovanovic admitted participating in the crimes

Individuals of an Italy-based family of burglars who stole more than £1.2m worth of items, among them from ex- Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak, have been mandated to return only £1 each.

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

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

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

Particulars of the Break-ins

The court previously heard the gang arrived by ferry in the UK on March 27, 2024 and used a RV as their "headquarters", which they parked at a service area and Durham rest stops while utilizing a separate vehicle to scout out targets and carry out burglaries.

On March 31 they took more than £1m of items such as high-end fashion, purses, jewelry and a CBE medal from a house on a street in Jesmond, Newcastle, while the residents were on holiday.

Valentino Nikolov
Valentino was the sole member of the foursome to contest the charge but was found guilty by jurors

The next evening, the crew broke into a home on a private road in Whitburn, South Tyneside, and stole luxury bags, valuables and footwear valued at over one hundred thousand pounds.

Following surveillance of Newcastle United's facility for 48 hours, they then struck at the home of Swedish player Alexander Isak in Darras Hall on April 4, stealing £10,000 in money, £68,000 valued of jewellery and the striker's one hundred twenty thousand pound luxury car.

The group, who were portrayed by the prosecution as experienced touring thieves, used gloves and masks, switched their phones on silent as they neared their objectives and attached a number plate, which had been taken from a garage in a town, on to their car with rubber straps.

They were apprehended in the Birmingham area on April 13.

Alexander Isak's home
Thieves stole cash and jewellery worth eighty thousand pounds and an car from then-Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak's home

Court Hearings and Sentencing

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

At the criminal gains hearing, prosecutor the prosecution said every one of the burglars had profited from their crimes to the value of £1,266,285.93, which was determined by what the affected parties said they had had stolen.

But Charlie Jovanovic was the only one found to have any money that could be "recovered", namely £1,135.50 which had already been seized by authorities, the judge heard, with 14 days to be served in jail if he failed to pay.

The remaining members had no money or property so were ordered to pay a token amount of £1 each, with one week in prison the result if the sum was not submitted.

The judge Spragg said if they were discovered with property in the coming years, "such as driving around Italy in a sports car or owning a home", prosecutors could seek new proceedings to "recover the sum outstanding".

Tim Black
Tim Black

Tech enthusiast and software reviewer with a passion for uncovering reliable digital tools to enhance everyday workflows.