Alexander Isak Robbers Instructed to Repay Just £1 Each from £1.2m Heists

Burglary suspects
Jela Jovanovic confessed to their involvement in the crimes

Individuals of an Italy-based family of burglars who took over £1.2m worth of goods, including from former Newcastle United forward Alexander Isak, have been ordered to return just £1 per person.

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

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

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

Particulars of the Break-ins

The court previously heard the gang came by ferry in the UK on 27 March 2024 and used a campervan as their "headquarters", which they stationed at Scotch Corner and Durham service rest stops while using a separate vehicle to search for properties and execute thefts.

On March 31 they took more than one million pounds of goods such as designer clothing, purses, jewelry and a CBE medal from a residence on Clayton Road in Jesmond, while the owners were on holiday.

Valentino Nikolov
Valentino was the sole member of the foursome to deny burglary but was found guilty by jurors

The following night, the gang broke into a home on a gated cul-de-sac in Whitburn, and stole luxury bags, valuables and shoes valued at over £100,000.

After scouting out the football club's training ground for 48 hours, they then acted at the residence of Sweden player Alexander Isak in Darras Hall on April 4, stealing £10,000 in money, £68,000 valued of jewelry and the player's £120,000 Audi RS6.

The group, who were described by the prosecution as experienced itinerant thieves, wore gloves and masks, switched their phones on silent as they neared their targets and attached a number plate, which had been stolen from a auto shop in Chester-le-Street, on to their car with rubber straps.

They were apprehended in the Birmingham on April 13.

Alexander Isak's home
Burglars stole money and jewelry valued at £80,000 and an Audi from then-Newcastle United striker Isak's property

Court Hearings and Sentencing

Valentino had pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to burglary but was found guilty by jurors, while his three relations had all submitted guilty pleas to the identical accusation.

At the criminal gains session, prosecutor Daniel Cordey said every one of the burglars had profited from their offenses to the value of over £1.2 million, which was based on 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 court was informed, with two weeks to be served in jail if he defaulted.

The other three had no assets or assets so were directed to pay a token amount of £1 each, with one week in incarceration the consequence if the sum was not submitted.

Judge Spragg said if they were found with property in the future, "for example operating Italy in a fast car or owning a property", prosecutors could initiate new proceedings to "satisfy the sum outstanding".

Brittney Bernard
Brittney Bernard

A seasoned gaming analyst with over a decade of experience in casino technology and regulatory affairs.