Isak Robbers Instructed to Repay Just £1 Each from £1.2 Million Thefts
Individuals of an Italy-based family of burglars who stole more than £1.2m valued of goods, including from former Newcastle United striker Isak, have been mandated to pay back just £1 each.
Brothers Valentino and Giacomo, their sister Jela Jovanovic and her child Charlie Jovanovic journeyed to the northeastern of England to raid three houses in April 2024.
The foursome were jailed for between a decade or less in 2025.
At a proceeds of crime proceeding at the court, Jela and the Nikolov brothers were ordered to repay £1 per person while Charlie must hand over over a thousand pounds.
Details of the Break-ins
The judge previously heard the group came by boat in the UK on March 27, 2024 and used a campervan as their "base of operations", which they stationed at a service area and Durham service stations while utilizing a separate vehicle to scout out properties and execute burglaries.
On March 31 they stole over £1m of goods including high-end fashion, handbags, jewelry and a CBE medal from a house on a street in Jesmond, while the owners were on holiday.
The following night, the gang entered a home on a gated cul-de-sac in Whitburn, and took luxury bags, jewellery and footwear valued at over £100,000.
Following surveillance of Newcastle United's training ground for 48 hours, they then struck at the home of Swedish player Mr Isak in Darras Hall on April 4, taking ten thousand pounds in cash, sixty-eight thousand pounds valued of jewellery and the player's £120,000 luxury car.
The gang, who were portrayed by the prosecution as experienced touring burglars, used hand coverings and masks, switched their mobile devices off as they approached their targets and attached a number plate, which had been taken from a auto shop in Chester-le-Street, on to their car with rubber straps.
They were arrested in the Birmingham on 13 April.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
Valentino had denied the burglary plot but was convicted by jurors, while his three relations had all entered guilty pleas to the same charge.
At the criminal gains hearing, prosecutor the prosecution said each of the burglars had benefited from their offenses to the amount of over £1.2 million, which was based on what the affected parties said they had lost.
But Charlie Jovanovic was the only one deemed to have any funds that could be "recovered", namely £1,135.50 which had previously been confiscated by authorities, the judge was informed, with two weeks to be served in prison if he failed to pay.
The remaining members had no money or assets so were ordered to make a token amount of £1 each, with one week in incarceration the consequence if the money was not paid.
Judge Robert Spragg said if they were found with assets in the coming years, "such as operating in Italy in a fast car or possessing a home", the prosecution could seek further action to "satisfy the amount outstanding".