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Individuals of an Italian family of thieves who took over £1.2 million valued of items, among them from ex- Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak, have been mandated to pay back just £1 each.

Siblings Valentino and Giacomo Nikolov, their sister Jela Jovanovic and her child Charlie Jovanovic travelled to the north-east of England to burgle multiple homes in spring 2024.

The group of four were imprisoned for from a decade or less in 2025.

At a proceeds of crime hearing at Newcastle Crown Court, Jela and the Nikolov brothers were instructed to repay £1 per person while Charlie Jovanovic must pay £1,135.

Particulars of the Burglaries

The judge previously heard the gang arrived by boat in the United Kingdom on March 27, 2024 and used a campervan as their "headquarters", which they parked at a service area and Durham service rest stops while utilizing a separate vehicle to scout out targets and execute thefts.

On 31 March they took over £1m of goods such as high-end fashion, purses, jewellery and a honor from a house on Clayton Road in Jesmond, while the residents were on holiday.

The next evening, the crew broke into a home on a private road in Whitburn, South Tyneside, and stole luxury bags, jewellery and shoes worth more than £100,000.

After scouting out Newcastle United's facility for two days, they then acted at the residence of Sweden player Mr Isak in Darras Hall on 4 April, stealing £10,000 in money, £68,000 worth of jewellery and the player's £120,000 Audi RS6.

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

They were apprehended 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 three relations had all entered guilty pleas to the identical accusation.

At the proceeds of crime hearing, lawyer the prosecution said every one of the burglars had profited from their offenses to the value of £1,266,285.93, which was based on what the affected parties said they had lost.

But Charlie was the only one deemed to have any funds that could be "realised", specifically over a thousand pounds which had already been seized by authorities, the court heard, with two weeks to be spent in jail if he failed to pay.

The remaining members had no money or property so were ordered to make a nominal fee of £1 each, with seven days in prison the consequence if the money was not submitted.

The judge Spragg said if they were found with property in the coming years, "such as driving around in Italy in a fast car or owning a home", the prosecution could seek further action to "satisfy the amount due".