Newcastle United forward Alexander Isak was targeted by a gang of burglars responsible for a series of high-value break-ins, Newcastle Crown Court has heard.
The Swedish international’s home in Northumberland was broken into last April. At the time, police confirmed that a vehicle was stolen from the property before being found abandoned in nearby Dissington.
Jurors were told that Isak was the gang’s third victim, following a local businessman who had already lost jewellery and clothing worth over £1 million.
Three members of the same family, who reside in Italy, have admitted to conspiracy to commit burglary. However, a fourth suspect, 32-year-old Valentino Nikolov, denies the charge and is currently on trial.
Prosecutor Dan Cordey stated that the suspected gang traveled to the UK in March, arriving via ferry from Calais to Dover in a Citroën C3 and a Ford motorhome. They initially stopped in London before heading to northeast England a few days later.
News of the break-in surfaced shortly after the incident, which took place days after Isak had played in Newcastle’s victory over Fulham at Craven Cottage.
According to The Sun, the gang targeted Isak’s home on a Thursday night around 10 p.m. Police responded swiftly, dispatching a helicopter, but the intruders had already fled.
The prosecution claims the gang’s first burglary occurred on March 30 at the Newcastle home of Helen and Michael McCardle while they were on holiday. The suspects reportedly stole jewellery, gold coins, designer handbags, and Helen McCardle’s CBE medal, with the total haul exceeding £1 million.
They were also linked to a raid in Sunderland, where they stole designer clothing, jewellery, and cash worth over £100,000.
Valentino Nikolov, from Tew Park Road in Birmingham, is representing himself in court and requires an Italian interpreter.
Jurors have been informed that his brother, Giacomo Nikolov, 28, his sister, Jela Jovanovic, 43, and her son, Charlie Jovanovic, 23—who all reside in Italy—have admitted to conspiracy to commit burglary.
The trial is ongoing.
