Alexander Isak Robbers Instructed to Repay Just £1 Each from £1.2 Million Heists
Members of an Italy-based family of thieves who stole over £1.2m valued of goods, including from former Newcastle United striker Isak, have been mandated to return only £1 per person.
Brothers Valentino and Giacomo, their female sibling Jela and her son Charlie travelled to the northeastern of England to burgle three houses in April 2024.
The group of four were imprisoned for between a decade or less in 2025.
At a proceeds of crime proceeding at Newcastle Crown Court, Jela and the brothers Nikolov were instructed to repay £1 per person while Charlie Jovanovic must pay £1,135.
Particulars of the Burglaries
The judge was told the group arrived by ferry in the United Kingdom on 27 March 2024 and used a campervan as their "base of operations", which they parked at a service area and Durham service service stations while utilizing a separate vehicle to scout out properties and carry out thefts.
On 31 March they stole more than one million pounds of goods including high-end fashion, handbags, jewellery and a honor from a residence on a street in Jesmond, while the owners were away.
The following night, the crew broke into a home on a gated cul-de-sac in Whitburn, South Tyneside, and stole luxury bags, jewellery and footwear worth more than £100,000.
After scouting out Newcastle United's training ground for two days, they then struck at the residence of Swedish striker Mr Isak in Darras Hall on 4 April, stealing ten thousand pounds in cash, £68,000 valued of jewelry and the striker's £120,000 luxury car.
The group, who were portrayed by the prosecution as experienced touring burglars, wore hand coverings and face coverings, turned their mobile devices off as they neared their objectives and strapped a number plate, which had been stolen from a garage in a town, on to their car with elastic bands.
They were arrested in the Birmingham on 13 April.
Court Hearings and Sentencing
Valentino had pleaded not guilty to the burglary plot but was convicted by the court, while his three relations had all submitted admissions to the same charge.
At the criminal gains session, lawyer the prosecution said every one of the burglars had benefited from their crimes to the value of £1,266,285.93, which was determined by what the victims said they had had stolen.
But Charlie was the sole individual deemed to have any money that could be "realised", specifically over a thousand pounds which had previously been confiscated by police, the court heard, with 14 days to be spent in jail if he failed to pay.
The remaining members had no assets or assets so were directed to make a nominal fee of £1 each, with one week in prison the result if the money was not submitted.
The judge Spragg said if they were discovered with assets in the future, "such as operating in Italy in a fast car or owning a property", the prosecution could seek new proceedings to "satisfy the sum due".