Newcastle striker Alexander Isak’s home was targeted by a “professional group of travelling burglars” who stole his car and jewellery valued at £68,000 ($87,000), a court heard on Wednesday.
The Swedish international was not at his property in Northumberland, northeast England, when the gang broke in through a glass door in April last year. Newcastle Crown Court was informed that, prior to the break-in at Isak’s home, the thieves had already stolen over £1 million in jewellery and designer goods from a businesswoman and another woman.
Three members of the same family, who reside in Italy, have pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary, the court heard. A fourth family member, 32-year-old Valentino Nikolov, denies the charge.
Dan Cordey, the prosecutor, explained that Isak had left his home between 4:00 pm and 10:00 pm on April 4, and discovered the break-in upon returning. The gang had ransacked his TV room, causing significant disorder. In addition to the jewellery, cash between £5,000 and £10,000 was stolen, as well as Isak’s Audi car, which was later found abandoned by a member of the public.
CCTV footage of the break-in was captured. Cordey described the group as “a professional set of travelling burglars” consisting of one woman and three men, all of whom were related. The three relatives—Giacomo Nikolov, 28, Jela Jovanovic, 43, and her son Charlie Jovanovic, 23—have admitted their involvement, while Valentino Nikolov is representing himself in court and requires an Italian interpreter.
The court also heard that the gang had entered the UK via ferry from Calais to Dover in March, using a motor-home as their base.
Isak has enjoyed an impressive season for Newcastle, scoring 22 goals in all competitions. His team is set to face Liverpool in the League Cup final at Wembley on March 16.
