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

Siblings Valentino Nikolov and Giacomo, their female sibling Jela and her child Charlie Jovanovic journeyed to the northeastern of the UK to burgle multiple homes in April 2024.

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

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

Details of the Break-ins

The court was told the gang came by boat in the UK on March 27, 2024 and employed a campervan as their "base of operations", which they parked at Scotch Corner and Durham service service stations while using another car to scout out targets and carry out burglaries.

On 31 March they stole over one million pounds of goods such as high-end fashion, purses, jewellery and a CBE medal from a residence on Clayton Road in Jesmond, while the owners were on holiday.

The next evening, the gang entered a house on a gated cul-de-sac in Whitburn, South Tyneside, and stole designer handbags, jewellery and shoes valued at over £100,000.

Following surveillance of Newcastle United's facility for two days, they then struck at the home of Swedish player Alexander Isak in Darras Hall, Ponteland on 4 April, taking ten thousand pounds in money, £68,000 valued of jewelry and the player's £120,000 luxury car.

The group, who were described by prosecutors as experienced touring thieves, wore gloves and face coverings, switched their mobile devices off as they approached their objectives and strapped a number plate, which had been stolen from a auto shop in Chester-le-Street, on to their vehicle with rubber straps.

They were arrested in the Birmingham area on April 13.

Court Hearings and Rulings

Valentino had denied conspiracy to burglary but was found guilty by jurors, while his family members had all submitted guilty pleas to the identical accusation.

At the criminal gains hearing, prosecutor the prosecution said every one of the defendants had profited from their offenses to the amount of over £1.2 million, which was based on what the affected parties said they had had stolen.

But Charlie was the sole individual found to have any money that could be "recovered", namely £1,135.50 which had previously been confiscated by police, the court heard, with two weeks to be served in jail if he defaulted.

The other three had no assets or assets so were directed to make a nominal fee of £1 each, with seven days in prison the result if the sum was not submitted.

Judge Spragg said if they were discovered with assets in the future, "such as driving around in Italy in a fast car or possessing a home", prosecutors could initiate new proceedings to "satisfy the sum due".