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Members of an Italy-based family of thieves who stole more than £1.2 million valued of items, including from ex- Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak, have been mandated to pay back only £1 per person.

Brothers Valentino and Giacomo, their sister Jela and her child Charlie travelled to the northeastern of the UK to burgle multiple homes in April 2024.

The group of four were imprisoned for between six and 10 years in 2025.

At a proceeds of crime proceeding at the court, Jela and the brothers Nikolov were instructed to pay back £1 each while Charlie Jovanovic must hand over £1,135.

Particulars of the Break-ins

The court previously heard the gang arrived by boat in the UK on 27 March 2024 and used a RV as their "base of operations", which they parked at Scotch Corner and Durham rest stops while utilizing another car to scout out targets and carry out burglaries.

On March 31 they took more than £1m of items such as designer clothing, purses, jewellery and a honor from a house on a street in Jesmond, while the residents were away.

The next evening, the gang broke into a house on a gated cul-de-sac in Whitburn, South Tyneside, and stole luxury bags, jewellery and footwear valued at over one hundred thousand pounds.

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

The group, who were portrayed by prosecutors as experienced itinerant burglars, used hand coverings and face coverings, turned their mobile devices on silent as they approached their objectives and attached a number 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 13 April.

Legal Hearings and Sentencing

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

At the proceeds of crime session, prosecutor Daniel Cordey said each of the defendants had profited from their crimes to the value of over £1.2 million, which was determined by what the affected parties said they had lost.

But Charlie was the sole individual deemed to have any funds that could be "realised", specifically over a thousand pounds which had already been seized by authorities, the court was informed, with two weeks to be served in prison if he defaulted.

The remaining members had no assets or assets so were directed to pay a nominal fee of £1 per person, with one week in incarceration the consequence if the money was not submitted.

Judge Robert Spragg said if they were discovered with property in the coming years, "such as driving around Italy in a sports car or possessing a home", the prosecution could seek further action to "recover the amount due".