Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak was reportedly targeted by a gang of burglars involved in a series of high-value break-ins, a court has heard. The Swedish international’s Northumberland home was broken into last April, with a vehicle stolen from the property before being abandoned in nearby Dissington.
Isak is believed to be the third victim of the gang, which had already stolen over £1 million worth of jewelry and clothes from a local businessman. Three members of the same family, living in Italy, have admitted to conspiracy to commit burglary, while a fourth member, 32-year-old Valentino Nikolov, denies the charge and is standing trial.
Prosecutor Dan Cordey revealed that the suspected gang arrived in the UK in March via ferry from Calais to Dover, before traveling to London and eventually to the northeast of England. The break-in at Isak’s home occurred days after the striker had featured for Newcastle in a win over Fulham.
The prosecution claims that the gang’s first burglary was at the home of Helen and Michael McCardle in Newcastle on March 30, during their holiday, where they stole items valued over £1 million, including a CBE medal. The group is also linked to a raid in Sunderland, where designer clothes, jewelry, and cash worth over £100,000 were stolen.
Valentino Nikolov, who is representing himself at the trial, requires an Italian interpreter. His family members – Giacomo Nikolov, Jela Jovanoic, and Charlie Jovanovic – have all pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary.
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