Newcastle striker Alexander Isak’s home was targeted by a “professional group of traveling burglars,” who stole his car and jewelry valued at £68,000 ($87,000), a court was told on Wednesday.
The Sweden international was away from his Northumberland residence in northeast England when the burglars gained access through a glass door last April, Newcastle Crown Court heard.
The same gang had previously stolen over £1 million worth of jewelry and clothing from a businesswoman and designer goods worth £100,000 from another woman in the days leading up to the incident.
Three members of an Italy-based family have admitted to conspiracy to commit burglary, while a fourth member, Valentino Nikolov, 32, denies the charge.
Prosecutor Dan Cordey explained that Isak left his home between 4:00 pm and 10:00 pm on April 4, discovering the break-in upon his return. The burglars entered his TV room, conducted a disorganized search, and stole cash amounting to £5,000-£10,000, along with jewelry worth £68,000. Isak’s Audi car was also taken but later found abandoned, jurors were told.
CCTV footage of the break-in was recorded and presented in court.
“This was a professional group of travelling burglars,” said Cordey. “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 the defendant Valentino Nikolov.
The gang arrived in Britain via a ferry from Calais to Dover last March, using a motor-home as their base, the court heard.
Nikolov, of 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 live in Italy, have admitted conspiracy to commit burglary.
Isak has enjoyed a standout season for Newcastle, scoring 22 goals in all competitions for Eddie Howe’s team, who face Liverpool in the League Cup final at Wembley on March 16.