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Individuals of an Italy-based family of burglars who took over £1.2m worth 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 son Charlie journeyed to the northeastern of England to burgle three houses in April 2024.

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

At a proceeds of crime hearing at Newcastle Crown Court, Jela and the brothers Nikolov were instructed to pay back £1 each while Charlie Jovanovic must pay £1,135.

Details of the Break-ins

The court previously heard the gang came by ferry in the UK on 27 March 2024 and employed a campervan as their "base of operations", which they stationed at Scotch Corner and Durham rest stops while utilizing another car to scout out properties and carry out burglaries.

On March 31 they took more than £1m of goods such as designer clothing, handbags, jewellery and a honor from a residence on a street in Jesmond, Newcastle, while the owners were on holiday.

The following night, the gang broke into a house on a gated cul-de-sac in Whitburn, South Tyneside, and took luxury bags, jewellery and shoes valued at more than one hundred thousand pounds.

After scouting out Newcastle United's training ground for two days, they then acted at the home of Sweden striker Alexander Isak in Darras Hall, Ponteland on 4 April, taking £10,000 in cash, £68,000 worth of jewelry and the striker's one hundred twenty thousand pound luxury car.

The gang, who were described by the prosecution as experienced touring burglars, wore gloves and masks, turned their mobile devices on silent as they neared their targets and strapped a number plate, which had been taken from a auto shop in a town, on to their car with rubber straps.

They were apprehended in the Birmingham on April 13.

Court Hearings and Rulings

Valentino had pleaded not guilty to the burglary plot but was convicted by the court, while his three relations had all submitted admissions to the same charge.

At the proceeds of crime session, prosecutor Daniel Cordey said each of the burglars had benefited from their crimes to the value of £1,266,285.93, which was based on what the affected parties said they had lost.

But Charlie was the sole individual found to have any money that could be "recovered", specifically over a thousand pounds which had already been seized by authorities, the court was informed, with two weeks to be served in jail if he failed to pay.

The remaining members had no money or assets so were ordered to make a nominal fee of £1 each, with seven days in incarceration the result if the money was not paid.

Judge Spragg said if they were discovered with assets in the coming years, "for example operating in Italy in a sports car or possessing a home", the prosecution could initiate new proceedings to "satisfy the amount due".