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Individuals of an Italy-based clan of burglars who took over £1.2 million valued of goods, including from ex- Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak, have been mandated to return only £1 per person.

Brothers Valentino Nikolov and Giacomo, their female sibling Jela and her child Charlie travelled to the northeastern of the UK to raid three houses in spring 2024.

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

At a criminal assets hearing at Newcastle Crown Court, Jela Jovanovic and the Nikolov brothers were ordered to pay back £1 each while Charlie Jovanovic must hand over £1,135.

Details of the Burglaries

The judge previously heard the gang came by ferry in the UK on March 27, 2024 and used a campervan as their "headquarters", which they parked at Scotch Corner and Durham service stations while using another car to search for targets and carry out thefts.

On 31 March they took over £1m of items such as designer clothing, handbags, jewellery and a CBE medal from a residence on Clayton Road in Jesmond, while the owners were away.

The next evening, the gang entered a home on a private road in Whitburn, South Tyneside, and stole luxury bags, valuables and shoes worth over £100,000.

After scouting out Newcastle United's facility for two days, they then struck at the home of Swedish striker Mr Isak in Darras Hall, Ponteland on 4 April, stealing ten thousand pounds in money, £68,000 valued of jewellery and the striker's £120,000 luxury car.

The gang, who were portrayed by prosecutors as professional touring burglars, wore hand coverings and masks, switched their phones on silent 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 vehicle with rubber straps.

They were apprehended in the Birmingham on April 13.

Legal Proceedings and Rulings

Valentino had denied conspiracy to burglary but was found guilty by jurors, while his family members had all submitted admissions to the same charge.

At the proceeds of crime session, lawyer the prosecution said each of the burglars had benefited from their offenses to the value of over £1.2 million, which was determined by what the victims said they had lost.

But Charlie Jovanovic was the only one deemed to have any money that could be "realised", namely over a thousand pounds which had previously been confiscated by authorities, the court heard, with 14 days to be served in prison if he failed to pay.

The other three had no money or property so were ordered to pay a nominal fee of £1 each, with seven days in incarceration the consequence if the sum was not paid.

Judge Spragg said if they were found with assets in the future, "such as operating in Italy in a fast car or owning a property", the prosecution could initiate further action to "recover the amount outstanding".