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Members of an Italy-based clan of thieves who took more than £1.2m valued of items, among them from ex- Newcastle United striker Isak, have been mandated to pay back just £1 per person.

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

The foursome were imprisoned for between a decade or less in 2025.

At a proceeds of crime proceeding at the court, Jela and the brothers Nikolov were instructed to repay £1 per person while Charlie must pay over a thousand pounds.

Details of the Burglaries

The court was told the gang came by boat in the United Kingdom on 27 March 2024 and employed a RV as their "headquarters", which they parked at Scotch Corner and Durham rest stops while using another car to scout out targets and execute thefts.

On 31 March they stole more than one million pounds of goods including designer clothing, purses, jewellery and a CBE medal from a residence on a street in Jesmond, while the owners were on holiday.

The following night, the crew entered a home on a gated cul-de-sac in Whitburn, and stole designer handbags, valuables and footwear valued at more than one hundred thousand pounds.

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

The group, who were portrayed by the prosecution as professional itinerant burglars, used hand coverings and masks, switched their phones on silent as they neared their targets and strapped a license plate, which had been taken from a garage in Chester-le-Street, on to their vehicle with elastic bands.

They were apprehended in the Birmingham on April 13.

Court Proceedings and Rulings

Valentino Nikolov had denied the burglary plot but was found guilty by jurors, while his three relations had all entered guilty pleas to the identical accusation.

At the proceeds of crime session, prosecutor the prosecution said each of the defendants had profited from their offenses to the value of £1,266,285.93, which was based on what the affected parties said they had had stolen.

But Charlie was the sole individual found to have any funds that could be "recovered", specifically over a thousand pounds which had previously been confiscated by authorities, the court heard, with 14 days to be served in jail if he failed to pay.

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

The judge Spragg said if they were found with assets in the future, "such as driving around in Italy in a fast car or owning a home", the prosecution could seek further action to "recover the amount outstanding".