Two men convicted over theft of £4.75m gold toilet from Blenheim Palace

The Daring Heist of the Solid Gold Toilet

Introduction

In a shocking turn of events, a £4.75 million solid gold toilet was stolen from Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. The fully-functional 18-carat gold toilet, titled America, was an artwork created by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan. It was part of an exhibition at the palace and was even available for public use. The theft occurred on September 14, 2019, and has been described as an audacious and meticulously planned heist.

The Masterminds Behind the Heist

Michael Jones, a 39-year-old man from Oxford, and James Sheen, a 40-year-old from Wellingborough in Northamptonshire, were identified as key players in the theft. Jones, who worked as a roofer and builder for Sheen, was found guilty of burglary at Oxford Crown Court. Sheen, described as the mastermind of the raid, pleaded guilty to burglary, conspiracy to transfer criminal property, and one count of transferring criminal property. Frederick Doe, a 36-year-old from Windsor, Berkshire, was also found guilty of conspiracy to convert or transfer criminal property, while Bora Guccuk, a 41-year-old from west London, was acquitted of the same charge.

The Plan and Execution

The heist was carried out with military precision. Sheen and his associates used two stolen vehicles, a VW Golf and an Isuzu truck, to gain entry through locked gates at Blenheim Palace shortly before 5 a.m. on the day of the theft. The team, armed with sledgehammers and a crowbar, broke into the palace, smashed through a solid wooden door, and tore the toilet from its fixings. The entire operation lasted just five minutes. The gold toilet, which weighed approximately 98 kilograms, was believed to be worth £2.8 million at the time of the theft, but it had been insured for £4.75 million.

The Evidence Trail

Despite their elaborate planning, the perpetrators left behind a trail of evidence that led to their downfall. Jones had visited the palace twice in the days leading up to the theft, taking photographs of the window used for entry and the toilet itself. Sheen’s DNA was found on a sledgehammer left at the scene and in the stolen Isuzu truck. Additionally, tracksuit bottoms seized from Sheen’s home contained hundreds of gold fragments that matched the gold from which the toilet was made. Jones was arrested on October 16, 2019, after police analyzed his phone, which showed he had searched for news reports about the stolen toilet.

The Aftermath and Sentencing

The investigation revealed that Sheen had contacted Frederick Doe just days after the theft to discuss selling the stolen gold. The two men used coded language in their communications, referring to "cars" and offers of "26 and a half," which the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) interpreted as a price of £26,500 per kilo of gold. None of the stolen gold was ever recovered, as it was likely broken down and sold on quickly after the theft. Jones and Sheen are awaiting sentencing, while Doe is set to be sentenced on May 19, 2024.

Conclusion

The theft of the solid gold toilet from Blenheim Palace was a daring and carefully planned heist that captivated the nation. Despite the meticulous planning, the criminals left behind crucial evidence that ultimately led to their conviction. The case serves as a reminder of the ingenuity of law enforcement and the importance of thorough investigation in bringing criminals to justice. The loss of this unique artwork is a significant cultural setback, and it remains to be seen if any remnants of the gold toilet will ever resurface. For now, justice has been served, but the audacity of the heist will remain a tale of intrigue and shock for years to come.