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Individuals of an Italy-based family of burglars who stole more than £1.2m valued of goods, including from ex- Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak, have been mandated to pay back only £1 per person.

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

The foursome were imprisoned for between six and 10 years in May 2025.

At a proceeds of crime hearing at the court, Jela Jovanovic and the Nikolov brothers were ordered to repay £1 each while Charlie must pay £1,135.

Details of the Burglaries

The judge previously heard the group arrived by boat in the United Kingdom on March 27, 2024 and employed a campervan as their "base of operations", which they stationed at Scotch Corner and Durham service stations while utilizing a separate vehicle to search for targets and carry out thefts.

On March 31 they stole over £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 broke into a home on a private road in Whitburn, South Tyneside, and took luxury bags, jewellery and footwear valued at more than £100,000.

After scouting out Newcastle United's facility for two days, they then struck at the residence of Sweden striker Mr Isak in Darras Hall, Ponteland on 4 April, stealing ten thousand pounds in cash, £68,000 worth of jewelry and the striker's £120,000 Audi RS6.

The gang, who were portrayed by the prosecution as experienced touring burglars, wore gloves and face coverings, switched their mobile devices off as they neared their targets and attached a license plate, which had been taken from a garage in a town, on to their car with elastic bands.

They were arrested in the Birmingham area on 13 April.

Legal Proceedings and Sentencing

Valentino Nikolov had pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to burglary but was convicted by jurors, while his family members had all submitted guilty pleas to the identical accusation.

At the proceeds of crime session, lawyer the prosecution said each of the defendants had benefited from their offenses to the value of £1,266,285.93, which was determined by what the victims said they had lost.

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

The remaining members had no assets or assets so were ordered to pay a token amount of £1 per person, with seven days in prison the result if the sum was not paid.

The judge Spragg said if they were found with assets in the future, "for example operating Italy in a fast car or owning a home", the prosecution could seek further action to "satisfy the sum due".