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Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Yahoo
Burglar family jailed for striker Isak's home raid
A family of Italian burglars who stole more than £1.2m worth of luxury goods from homes including that of Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak have been jailed. Brothers Valentino and Giacomo Nikolov, their sister Jela Jovanoic and her son Charlie Jovanovic travelled to the region to raid three houses in April 2024, Newcastle Crown Court heard. Prosecutor Daniel Cordey said the foursome, two of whom had been banned from Switzerland for thieving, were a professional gang of touring burglars. Valentino, 32, who was found guilty of conspiracy to commit burglary, was jailed for 10 years while the others, who admitted their involvement, were imprisoned for between six and eight years each. Mr Isak said the "attack" on his home had left him with a sense of unease. The gang arrived in the UK on a ferry from Calais in the early hours of 27 March, the court heard, with the family travelling in a black Citroen C3 and a Ford campervan. Their movements over the following days were tracked by SIM cards in their phones and the C3, as well as automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras, Mr Cordey said. They parked their "base of operations" campervan at Scotch Corner and Durham service stations while they used the C3 to scout out their targets and carry out the burglaries, the court heard. Jela, 43, who was born in Zagreb, Croatia, and had previous convictions for fraud and theft in Belgium from 2011, was the gang's driver while her son and brothers ransacked the homes, Mr Cordey said. They first targeted a home on Clayton Road in Jesmond, Newcastle, while the owners were on holiday, the court heard. At about 20:45 BST on 31 March, the men broke in through a first-floor balcony door and stole a safe, high value watches, designer clothing, handbags, a CBE medal and gold coins, Mr Cordey said. The total value of the stolen goods exceeded £1m, the prosecutor said, with the vast majority of it unrecovered. The following night, the gang broke into a home on a gated cul-de-sac in Whitburn, South Tyneside, and stole designer handbags, jewellery and shoes worth more than £100,000, the court heard. They then spent two days near Newcastle United's training ground, monitoring the movements of staff and players, before targeting Mr Isak's home in Ponteland, the court heard. On the evening of 4 April, the burglars smashed their way into the house on Middle Drive in Darrass Hall while the Swedish striker was visiting a teammate, the court heard. They took an empty safe, which had been left by a previous owner, up to £10,000 in cash and "bespoke" jewellery worth £68,000, Mr Cordey said. They also stole the footballer's car keys so they could use his Audi RS6 as a battering ram to force open his gates, with the vehicle, worth £120,000, later found abandoned nearby, the court heard. Mr Cordey said the gang wore gloves and masks, switched their phones off as they neared their targets and strapped a number plate, which had been stolen from a garage in Chester-le-Street, on to their car with elastic bands. They escaped with their loot to the Walsall and Birmingham area, where their car was stopped and they were arrested on 13 April, the court heard. Giacomo, 28, who was born in Napoli and had convictions for theft in Italy, was wearing a Rolex watch stolen from the home in Jesmond, the court heard. Valentino, who was born in Milan and had links to an address in Birmingham, and his 22-year-old nephew Charlie, born in Brescia, had both been jailed in Switzerland for carrying out a burglary on Christmas Eve 2022, the court heard, with the pair then expelled from the country for five and seven years respectively. In a statement read to the court, Mr Isak said the "attack" on his home had left him with a "sense of unease" every time he left and returned to the house. None of the goods taken from his home were recovered, the court heard, apart from the safe which was found heavily damaged in the Birmingham area. Newcastle United's player liaison officer Glenn Patterson said he had always been "proud" to tell new and prospective recruits that the area was safe but the burglary of Mr Isak's home was one of several against players in recent times. He said the club had to invest heavily in security systems and patrols, with players fearing for the safety of their homes and families during matches and being instructed to "moderate" what they posted on social media. "I'm not trying to be alarmist or over-reactive but these crimes have had an impact on the club which cannot be overstated," Mr Patterson said, adding it affected player recruitment and retention. The victim of the Jesmond burglary said she and her husband had worked "extremely hard" for everything they owned and they had been devastated by the burglary. She said much of the jewellery had been of great sentimental value and was irreplaceable, while her CBE medal had no worth to the burglars but was intended by her to become a family heirloom. "The thieves have not only stolen our belongings but, just as importantly, they have stolen our privacy and security," she said. The woman whose Whitburn home was targeted said she and her young children had lived in fear ever since. "The peace, safety and security taken from us is unacceptable, let alone the stress and heartbreak caused." All four burglars apologised for the impact of their actions and said they wanted to be deported back to Italy to be with their families, the court heard. Judge Robert Spragg said it was a highly sophisticated and planned "family affair" by a professional group of criminals. Giacomo was jailed for eight years, Jela for seven years and two months and Charlie for six years and nine months. He said deportation was automatic for foreign nationals jailed for more than a year. Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. Send your story ideas here. 'Pro' thieves stole £80k goods from striker's home Isak targeted during break-in spree, court hears Man guilty of burgling striker Isak's home HM Courts and Tribunals Service
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Yahoo
Burglar guilty of break-in at Premier League star Isak's home
A thief who joined three family members in breaking into the home of Premier League star Alexander Isak and stealing his sports car, jewellery worth £68,000 and up to £10,000 in cash has been convicted of conspiracy to commit burglary. The Newcastle United and Sweden striker, who helped his side win the Carabao Cup at the weekend, was not in his house when what the prosecution described as a 'professional group of travelling burglars' broke in through a glass door last April. The thieves had already stolen jewellery and clothes worth more than £1 million and the CBE medal belonging to Tyneside businesswoman Helen McArdle, and designer goods worth £100,000 from a woman in Whitburn, Sunderland, in the previous days. Three members of the same family, living in Italy, admitted conspiracy to commit burglary. A fourth family member, Valentino Nikolov, 32, denied the charge but was convicted on Tuesday following a trial at Newcastle Crown Court. Judge Robert Spragg said he will sentence the group later. Dan Cordey, prosecuting, told jurors how Isak left his home in Darras Hall, Northumberland, between 4pm and 10pm on April 4, and he discovered the break-in when he returned and saw his bins had been moved. The gang broke into his TV room and 'inside an untidy search took place', Mr Cordey said. Isak told detectives that he kept cash in bags upstairs, made up of notes of varying denominations as well as coins, and the amount taken was between £5,000 and £10,000. He said bespoke men's jewellery from Frost of London worth about £68,000 – made up of bracelets, necklaces and rings – was taken, along with his Audi RS6 estate car. Jurors heard a member of the public later found the car abandoned and called the police. The gang also took a safe, which had been left by the home's previous tenant, although it did not contain anything valuable, Mr Cordey said. Isak told police he had never used the safe and he had not been able to open it. CCTV images of the break-in were recorded on what Mr Cordey described as a 'doggy cam'. The prosecution said: 'This was a professional group of travelling burglars. 'It contained one female and three men – all related. 'Two of those men and one female have admitted their part in pleading guilty.' Mr Cordey said the fourth man was the defendant Valentino Nikolov. The gang arrived in the UK via a ferry from Calais to Dover in a Citroen C3 and a Ford motorhome last March. They headed to London then drove to the North East a few days later, the court has heard. The gang used the Citroen to travel to break-ins and the motorhome was a base where they slept. Nikolov, of Tew Park Road, Birmingham, represented himself and used an Italian interpreter. His brother Giacomo Nikolov, 28, his sister Jela Jovanovic, 43, and her son Charlie Jovanovic, 23, who all reside in Italy, will be sentenced along with him for conspiracy to commit burglary. Safet Ramic, who is the 58-year-old father of Valentino Nikolov's former partner, and who is from Winson Street, Birmingham, was cleared of a single charge of handling stolen goods. Outside court, Detective Constable Mark Armstrong, of the North East Regional Organised Crime Unit (NEROCU), said: 'This is a fantastic result, which has been the outcome of an incredibly complex and comprehensive police investigation by several police partners. 'Burglaries are an insidious crime and causes a great amount of emotional and financial trauma to victims.' Christopher Atkinson, head of CPS North East's Complex Casework Unit, said: 'The Crown Prosecution Service has worked closely with the North East Regional Organised Crime Unit throughout this complex investigation. 'It is testament to the quality of that investigation, especially the effective partnership work between multiple police forces, that we have been provided with such a significant amount of evidence. 'This has enabled us to build a particularly robust prosecution case, which has been instrumental in securing convictions against those responsible for these offences.'
The Independent
18-03-2025
- The Independent
Burglar guilty of break-in at Premier League star Isak's home
A thief who joined three family members in breaking into the home of Premier League star Alexander Isak and stealing his sports car, jewellery worth £68,000 and up to £10,000 in cash has been convicted of conspiracy to commit burglary. The Newcastle United and Sweden striker, who helped his side win the Carabao Cup at the weekend, was not in his house when what the prosecution described as a 'professional group of travelling burglars' broke in through a glass door last April. The thieves had already stolen jewellery and clothes worth more than £1 million and the CBE medal belonging to Tyneside businesswoman Helen McArdle, and designer goods worth £100,000 from a woman in Whitburn, Sunderland, in the previous days. Three members of the same family, living in Italy, admitted conspiracy to commit burglary. A fourth family member, Valentino Nikolov, 32, denied the charge but was convicted on Tuesday following a trial at Newcastle Crown Court. Judge Robert Spragg said he will sentence the group later. Dan Cordey, prosecuting, told jurors how Isak left his home in Darras Hall, Northumberland, between 4pm and 10pm on April 4, and he discovered the break-in when he returned and saw his bins had been moved. The gang broke into his TV room and 'inside an untidy search took place', Mr Cordey said. Isak told detectives that he kept cash in bags upstairs, made up of notes of varying denominations as well as coins, and the amount taken was between £5,000 and £10,000. He said bespoke men's jewellery from Frost of London worth about £68,000 – made up of bracelets, necklaces and rings – was taken, along with his Audi RS6 estate car. Jurors heard a member of the public later found the car abandoned and called the police. The gang also took a safe, which had been left by the home's previous tenant, although it did not contain anything valuable, Mr Cordey said. Isak told police he had never used the safe and he had not been able to open it. CCTV images of the break-in were recorded on what Mr Cordey described as a 'doggy cam'. The prosecution said: 'This was a professional group of travelling burglars. 'It contained one female and three men – all related. ' Two of those men and one female have admitted their part in pleading guilty.' Mr Cordey said the fourth man was the defendant Valentino Nikolov. The gang arrived in the UK via a ferry from Calais to Dover in a Citroen C3 and a Ford motorhome last March. They headed to London then drove to the North East a few days later, the court has heard. The gang used the Citroen to travel to break-ins and the motorhome was a base where they slept. Nikolov, of Tew Park Road, Birmingham, represented himself and used an Italian interpreter. His brother Giacomo Nikolov, 28, his sister Jela Jovanovic, 43, and her son Charlie Jovanovic, 23, who all reside in Italy, will be sentenced along with him for conspiracy to commit burglary. Safet Ramic, who is the 58-year-old father of Valentino Nikolov's former partner, and who is from Winson Street, Birmingham, was cleared of a single charge of handling stolen goods. Outside court, Detective Constable Mark Armstrong, of the North East Regional Organised Crime Unit (NEROCU), said: 'This is a fantastic result, which has been the outcome of an incredibly complex and comprehensive police investigation by several police partners. 'Burglaries are an insidious crime and causes a great amount of emotional and financial trauma to victims.' Christopher Atkinson, head of CPS North East's Complex Casework Unit, said: 'The Crown Prosecution Service has worked closely with the North East Regional Organised Crime Unit throughout this complex investigation. 'It is testament to the quality of that investigation, especially the effective partnership work between multiple police forces, that we have been provided with such a significant amount of evidence. 'This has enabled us to build a particularly robust prosecution case, which has been instrumental in securing convictions against those responsible for these offences.'
The Independent
05-03-2025
- The Independent
Premier League star details how burglars took cash, jewellery and his sports car
Premier League star Alexander Isak told police burglars stole up to £10,000 in cash, his Audi sports car and bespoke jewellery worth £68,000, jurors heard. The Newcastle United and Sweden forward was not in his house when what the prosecution described as a 'professional group of travelling burglars' broke in through a glass door last April, Newcastle Crown Court heard. The thieves had already stolen jewellery and clothes worth more than £1 million and the CBE medal belonging to Tyneside businesswoman Helen McCardle, and designer goods worth £100,000 from a woman living on Wearside in the previous days. Three members of the same family, living in Italy, have admitted conspiracy to commit burglary, Newcastle Crown Court has heard. But a fourth family member, Valentino Nikolov, 32, denies the charge. Dan Cordey, prosecuting, said Isak made a statement to police, saying he left his home in Darras Hall, Northumberland, between 4pm and 10pm on April 4 and he discovered the break-in when he returned and saw his bins had been moved. The gang broke into his TV room and 'inside an untidy search took place', Mr Cordey said. Isak told detectives that he kept cash in bags upstairs, made up of notes of varying denominations as well as coins, and the amount taken was between £5,000 and £10,000. He said bespoke men's jewellery from Frost of London worth about £68,000 – made up of bracelets, necklaces and rings – was taken, along with his Audi RS6 estate car. Jurors heard a member of the public later found the car abandoned and called the police. The gang also took a safe, which had been left by the home's previous tenant, although it did not contain anything valuable, Mr Cordey said. Isak told police he had never used the safe as he had never been able to open it. CCTV images of the break-in were recorded on what Mr Cordey described as a 'doggy cam'. The prosecution said: 'This was a professional group of travelling burglars. 'It contained one female and three men – all related. 'Two of those men and one female have admitted their part in pleading guilty.' Mr Cordey said the fourth man was the defendant Valentino Nikolov. The gang arrived in the UK via a ferry from Calais to Dover in a Citroen C3 and a Ford motorhome last March. They headed to London then drove to the North East a few days later, the court has heard. The gang used the Citroen to travel to break-ins and the motorhome was a base where they slept, the prosecution claimed. Mrs McCardle told police she and her husband Michael were on holiday in Spain when their four-storey home in Jesmond, Newcastle, was burgled. The thieves got in through a patio door into her bedroom and raided her walk-in wardrobe, stealing designer items including Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent and Louis Vuitton handbags that she had collected over the years. She said her CBE, presented to her by the royal family, was priceless. Two members of the gang were in possession of a Cartier watch belonging to her and her husband's Rolex when they were arrested, the court heard. Stephanie Stokoe told police her home in a gated cul-de-sac in Whitburn, Sunderland, was burgled while she was away – and on her return she immediately saw how her possessions had been thrown around. Nikolov, of Tew Park Road, Birmingham, is representing himself at the trial and requires an Italian interpreter. Jurors have been told his brother Giacomo Nikolov, 28, his sister Jela Jovanovic, 43, and her son Charlie Jovanovic, 23, who all reside in Italy, have admitted conspiracy to commit burglary. Safet Ramic, who is the 58-year-old father of Valentino Nikolov's former partner, and who is from Winson Street, Birmingham, denies handling stolen goods. The trial continues on Thursday.
The Guardian
05-03-2025
- The Guardian
Isak targeted by burglars who stole £68,000 of jewellery, court told
A 'professional group of travelling burglars' broke into the Newcastle striker Alexander Isak's home and stole his car, jewellery worth about £68,000 and up to £10,000 in cash, a court has heard. The Sweden international was not in the house in Northumberland when the gang broke in through a glass door last April. The thieves had already stolen jewellery and clothes worth more than £1m from a Tyneside businesswoman and designer goods worth £100,000 from a woman living on Wearside in the previous days, the court heard. Three members of the same family, living in Italy, have admitted conspiracy to commit burglary. A fourth family member, Valentino Nikolov, 32, denies the charge. Dan Cordey, prosecuting, said Isak left his home between 4pm and 10pm on 4 April and discovered the break-in when he returned and saw his bins had been moved. The gang broke into his TV room and 'inside an untidy search took place', Cordey said. Cash between £5,000 and £10,000 was taken, along with jewellery worth about £68,000 and Isak's Audi car, which a member of the public later found abandoned, jurors were told. The gang also took a safe, which had been left by the home's previous occupant, although it did not contain anything valuable, Cordey said. CCTV images of the break-in were recorded on what Cordey described as a 'doggy cam'. He said: 'This was a professional group of travelling burglars. It contained one female and three men, all related. Two of those men and one female have admitted their part in pleading guilty.' Cordey said the fourth man was Valentino Nikolov. The gang arrived in the UK via a ferry from Calais to Dover in a Citroën C3 and a Ford motorhome last March. They headed to London, then drove to the north-east a few days later, the court heard. The gang used the Citroën to travel to break-ins and the motorhome was a base where they slept, the prosecution claimed. Nikolov, from Birmingham, is representing himself and requires an Italian interpreter. Jurors have been told his brother Giacomo Nikolov, 28, his sister Jela Jovanovic, 43, and her son Charlie Jovanovic, 23, who live in Italy, have admitted conspiracy to commit burglary. Safet Ramic, the father of Valentino Nikolov's former partner, denies handling stolen goods. The trial continues.
