Gang Who Robbed Isak Pay Back Only £1

Nominal Repayment Order for High-Value Burglary Ring

A court has commanded individuals from an Italian theft clan to repay a single pound each. This ruling comes despite their role in stealing goods worth over one million pounds. Alexander Isak, the forward for Newcastle United, was among their high-profile victims. The group targeted wealthy homes in the North East, taking designer clothes, jewellery, and cars in early 2024. A recent hearing regarding crime profits found the thieves had nothing left to seize. This result has started a debate about recovering cash from travelling criminals. It highlights the gap between the value of stolen items and what the law can get back. The decision shows the limits of the justice system when dealing with offenders who hide or spend their loot quickly.

Structure of the Family Criminal Unit

The gang operated as a close family team. Valentino and Giacomo Nikolov led the group with Jela Jovanovic, their sister. Charlie Jovanovic, her son, also took part in the raids. Prosecutors in Newcastle Crown Court described them as roaming professional thieves. They came to the UK specifically to commit crimes. They moved often to avoid police checks. The group relied only on family members to keep secrets. This made them harder to catch than other gangs. They did not put down roots in the area. Their lifestyle was built on moving fast and striking hard before vanishing.

Establishing a Mobile Command Hub

The group arrived by ferry on March 27, 2024. They used a mobile home as a hub for their operations. They parked at service stations located at Durham and Scotch Corner. This allowed them to blend in with other travellers. They avoided hotels to leave no digital trail. They used a different car to scout for targets. This kept their sleeping place unconnected to the crime scenes. It was a smart way to stay off the grid. The police found it hard to track them at first because of this mobile base.

Stealth Tactics and Counter-Measures

The thieves were very disciplined. They turned off mobile phones near targets to stop cell tower tracking. The thieves put on face coverings and gloves to leave no forensic evidence. They used bands made of elastic to attach a stolen plate to their car. This allowed them to change the car's identity quickly. It showed they were experts, not amateurs. They planned every move to avoid getting caught. These methods made it difficult for police to place them at the scene using standard checks.

Major Theft from Jesmond Property

On March 31, they raided a house located in Jesmond on Clayton Road. The owners were away on vacation. The intruders broke in and found a safe. They took a huge value in items, such as designer bags and watches. The total loss was over one million pounds. The victims came home to find their house turned upside down. It caused them great distress. The scale of this single theft showed the gang knew exactly what to look for. They cleared out the most valuable items in the house.

Theft of a Sentimental Royal Award

They also stole a CBE medal during the raid. The late Queen had given it to the owner for her work. It meant the world to the family. The thieves took it along with the cash and jewellery. It had no value to them, but it was priceless to the victim. This showed how heartless the gang was. They stripped the residence belonging to the family of its history. The court noted this loss caused the most pain. It was a cruel act that went beyond just stealing money.

Targeting a Private Estate in Whitburn

The next night, they hit a home situated in a Whitburn gated cul-de-sac. It was a very private area. They broke in when no one was there. They took shoes and handbags worth a fortune. The gang moved fast from one crime to the next. They were greedy and confident. They did not stop to sell the goods. They just wanted to steal as much as possible. This second attack showed they targeted only the richest areas.

Surveillance of Professional Athletes

They then turned their eyes to sports stars. They spent two days watching the training ground for Newcastle United. They tracked players to learn their schedules. Testimony revealed they wanted to know when Alexander Isak would be away. This helped them plan the break-in at his home. It showed a worrying trend of gangs targeting footballers. They see athletes as easy targets with lots of cash. The reconnaissance was a key part of their plan.

Break-in at the Darras Hall Residence

They attacked the property in the Darras Hall neighbourhood on April 4. They waited for the house to be empty. They smashed a glass door to get inside. They searched the house for cash and jewellery. They found about ten thousand pounds in money. The raid happened just before a big match. It added stress to the player's life. The gang showed they could get into even the most secure estates. They were not afraid of alarms or cameras.

Theft of the Luxury Vehicle

They found keys to a car during the search. They took the Audi RS6 worth plenty. Driving such a noticeable car was a risk. But they took it anyway to add to their haul. Police found the car abandoned later. The thieves likely realised it was too hot to keep. The total loss from this raid was nearly two hundred thousand pounds. It showed the gang was willing to take big risks for high rewards.

Tracking the Group via Digital Evidence

Detectives launched a big operation to catch them. They used data to track the gang's movements. They found foreign SIM cards used near the crime scenes. Cameras also spotted their car and campervan. This digital trail proved where they had been. It destroyed their alibi. The police used modern tech to link them to the crimes. The gang thought they were invisible, but the data gave them away. It was a victory for police intelligence work.

Arrest Operation near the West Midlands

Police caught the group on April 13. They stopped the car close to Birmingham. It was far away from the crime scenes. Officers found stolen items in the vehicle. They arrested the family and took them north. This stopped them from leaving the country with the loot. It also saved other homes from being hit. Forces from different areas worked together to make the arrest. It was a smooth operation that ended the crime spree.

Sentences Handed Down by the Court

During May 2025, the four faced the judge. Valentino Nikolov previously claimed he was innocent. But the jury found him guilty. The others admitted their guilt before the trial. The judge gave them long prison terms. Valentino got ten years for his role. It was a strong punishment. The court wanted to warn other foreign gangs. The sentences reflected the high value of the stolen goods and the distress caused.

Hearing on the Crime Profits

A hearing about the money took place in November. Daniel Cordey, the prosecutor, presented the figures. He said the gang gained from their crimes by over a million pounds. This amount came from what the victims lost. The court wanted to seize assets to pay this back. But the gang had hidden or spent the money. The goal was to strip them of their illegal wealth. It proved difficult because they had no assets in the UK.

Assessment of Financial Status

Investigators looked deep into their finances. They found almost nothing. The stolen goods were gone. The Nikolov brothers alongside Jela had no bank accounts here. They owned no property in Britain. This meant the court could not order a big repayment. It was a hard pill for the victims to swallow. The system works, but it cannot get blood from a stone. The thieves had made sure they had nothing to seize.

The Legal Nominal Order

The court issued a nominal order of one pound. Jela Jovanovic plus the Nikolov siblings must pay this small sum. It seems silly, but it is a legal tool. It keeps the debt active. If they get rich at a later date, the authorities can come back. It prevents the case from closing forever. It is a way to ensure justice can still be served financially. The debt will hang over them for the rest of their lives.

Seizing the Recovered Cash

Charlie Jovanovic was the only one with cash. Police found over a thousand pounds on him. The court ordered this money to be confiscated. He has a short time to agree or face days behind bars. It was the only real money recovered from the huge thefts. It shows how hard it is to get restitution. The victims will likely never see the rest of their money. It is a sad reality of this type of crime.

Warning of Future Confiscation

Robert Spragg, the Judge, gave a final warning. He said if they are seen owning real estate or driving speedsters in Italy, the law will act. Prosecutors can open the case again to settle the debt. They cannot enjoy their illegal gains in peace. The order ensures they are watched. Any future wealth can be taken to pay the victims. It is a lifetime sentence of financial debt. They will never be free of what they owe.