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Members of an Italy-based clan of burglars who took over £1.2m valued of items, including from ex- Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak, have been ordered to pay back just £1 each.

Siblings Valentino Nikolov and Giacomo, their sister Jela Jovanovic and her child Charlie Jovanovic travelled to the northeastern of the UK to burgle three houses in spring 2024.

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

At a proceeds of crime hearing at the court, Jela and the Nikolov brothers were ordered to pay back £1 per person while Charlie must hand over over a thousand pounds.

Particulars of the Burglaries

The judge previously heard the gang came by ferry in the UK on March 27, 2024 and used a RV as their "headquarters", which they parked at a service area and Durham service rest stops while utilizing a separate vehicle to search for properties and execute burglaries.

On 31 March they took over £1m of items such as designer clothing, purses, jewelry and a honor from a residence on Clayton Road in Jesmond, Newcastle, while the residents were on holiday.

The next evening, the gang entered a house on a gated cul-de-sac in Whitburn, South Tyneside, and took luxury bags, valuables and shoes worth over one hundred thousand pounds.

Following surveillance of the football club's facility for two days, they then acted at the home of Sweden striker Mr Isak in Darras Hall, Ponteland on April 4, stealing £10,000 in cash, £68,000 valued of jewellery and the striker's one hundred twenty thousand pound Audi RS6.

The gang, who were portrayed by prosecutors as professional touring burglars, used gloves and face coverings, switched their mobile devices off as they approached their objectives and attached a number plate, which had been taken from a garage in a town, on to their vehicle with rubber straps.

They were apprehended in the Birmingham on 13 April.

Legal Proceedings and Rulings

Valentino Nikolov had denied conspiracy to burglary but was convicted by jurors, while his three relations had all entered admissions to the identical accusation.

At the proceeds of crime session, lawyer the prosecution said every one of the defendants had benefited from their crimes to the value of £1,266,285.93, which was determined by what the affected parties said they had had stolen.

But Charlie was the only one deemed to have any money that could be "realised", namely £1,135.50 which had previously been confiscated by police, the judge heard, with 14 days to be served in jail if he failed to pay.

The other three had no money or assets so were directed to pay a nominal fee of £1 each, with seven days in prison the result if the sum was not submitted.

The judge Robert Spragg said if they were found with assets in the coming years, "such as driving around Italy in a sports car or owning a home", prosecutors could initiate new proceedings to "satisfy the amount outstanding".