Individuals of an Italy-based clan of thieves who stole more than £1.2m valued of items, among them from ex- NUFC striker Alexander Isak, have been ordered to return only £1 per person.
Brothers Valentino Nikolov and Giacomo, their sister Jela and her child Charlie Jovanovic travelled to the northeastern of the UK to raid three houses in spring 2024.
The foursome were jailed for from six and 10 years in May 2025.
At a proceeds of crime hearing at Newcastle Crown Court, Jela Jovanovic and the brothers Nikolov were ordered to pay back £1 each while Charlie Jovanovic must hand over over a thousand pounds.
Particulars of the Burglaries
The court previously heard the group arrived by ferry in the United Kingdom on March 27, 2024 and employed a RV as their "base of operations", which they parked at a service area and Durham rest stops while using another car to scout out targets and execute burglaries.
On March 31 they stole more than £1m of items such as designer clothing, purses, jewelry and a honor from a residence on Clayton Road in Jesmond, Newcastle, while the residents were away.
The following night, the gang entered a home on a private road in Whitburn, South Tyneside, and took luxury bags, valuables and footwear valued at over £100,000.
Following surveillance of Newcastle United's training ground for 48 hours, they then struck at the residence of Sweden striker Mr Isak in Darras Hall, Ponteland on 4 April, stealing ten thousand pounds in cash, sixty-eight thousand pounds worth of jewelry and the striker's one hundred twenty thousand pound luxury car.
The gang, who were described by the prosecution as professional itinerant thieves, used hand coverings and masks, turned their mobile devices off as they approached their objectives and attached a license plate, which had been stolen from a auto shop in Chester-le-Street, on to their vehicle with elastic bands.
They were apprehended in the Birmingham on 13 April.
Court Hearings and Sentencing
Valentino Nikolov had pleaded not guilty to the burglary plot but was found guilty by the court, while his family members had all entered guilty pleas to the same charge.
At the proceeds of crime hearing, lawyer the prosecution said each of the defendants had profited from their crimes to the amount of £1,266,285.93, which was based on what the affected parties said they had lost.
But Charlie was the only one found to have any money that could be "realised", namely over a thousand pounds which had previously been confiscated by authorities, the court was informed, with 14 days to be spent in jail if he defaulted.
The remaining members had no money or property so were ordered to make a nominal fee of £1 per person, with seven days in incarceration the result if the sum was not paid.
The judge Spragg said if they were found with assets in the future, "such as operating Italy in a fast car or owning a home", prosecutors could initiate further action to "satisfy the sum outstanding".
