Two Men Convicted in £4.8 Million Gold Toilet Heist at Blenheim Palace
The theft, emblematic of both artistic excess and audacious crime, has led to the conviction of two individuals involved in the burglary.
Two men were found guilty in connection with the theft of an 18-carat gold toilet valued at £4.8 million, stolen from Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, the birthplace of former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill.
The toilet, a piece of art designed by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan, was displayed in the palace as part of an art exhibition when it was taken in September 2019.
Michael Jones, a 36-year-old from Oxford, was convicted of planning the burglary, which occurred in the early hours of September 14, 2019. At the time of the theft, Jones had visited Blenheim Palace twice, which he claimed were not reconnaissance trips.
He had reportedly utilized the toilet’s facilities the day before the theft, describing the experience as 'splendid.'
James Sheen, 40, from Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, had already pleaded guilty prior to Jones' conviction to multiple charges, including burglary and conspiracy to transfer criminal property.
Another individual, Frederick Doe, aged 36, played a significant role in assisting Sheen to sell the stolen gold and was found guilty of conspiracy to transfer criminal property.
Bora Guccuk, 39, from west London, was acquitted of related charges.
The toilet, plumbed in and fully functional at the time of its theft, led to flooding in the historical building after its removal, causing damage to the 18th-century stately home and its status as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Weighing approximately 98 kilograms, the toilet had previously attracted considerable public interest during its installation at the Guggenheim Museum in New York, where it was used by an estimated 100,000 visitors.
The piece was installed at Blenheim Palace for Cattelan’s first solo exhibition in the UK in over two decades.
In a statement addressing the theft, Cattelan expressed hope that the incident was a prank, questioning, 'Who’s so stupid to steal a toilet?' He also remarked that the work, titled 'America,' was meant to reflect societal excess.
The heist was executed at around 4:50 a.m. when two stolen vehicles—a VW Golf and an Isuzu truck—entered the palace grounds.
Armed with sledgehammers and a crowbar, the robbers forcibly gained access through a solid wooden door, removed the toilet, and transported it to the waiting VW Golf.
Following the robbery, Sheen made arrangements to sell the stolen gold, believed to have been relocated and processed for its material value shortly after the theft.
Thames Valley Police reported that Doe contacted Sheen to facilitate the sale and both referred to the gold as 'cars' during their discussions.
Jones was taken into custody on October 16, 2019. Authorities found evidence on his mobile phone indicating that he was searching for news articles regarding the stolen toilet shortly after the crime.
The scheduled sentencing for Doe is set for May 19, while Jones and Sheen will receive their sentences at a later date.
Detective Superintendent Bruce Riddell of Thames Valley Police acknowledged the extensive police work that led to the convictions, revealing that investigations continue to recover assets linked to past crimes attributed to Sheen.
A serious crime prevention order has been enacted against Sheen due to prior offenses, which will last five years following his imprisonment.
Shan Saunders from the Crown Prosecution Service described the robbery as a meticulously planned operation.
While the stolen gold has not been recovered, prosecutors believe that this case has disrupted a wider criminal network involved in money laundering and organized crime.
The toilet, a piece of art designed by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan, was displayed in the palace as part of an art exhibition when it was taken in September 2019.
Michael Jones, a 36-year-old from Oxford, was convicted of planning the burglary, which occurred in the early hours of September 14, 2019. At the time of the theft, Jones had visited Blenheim Palace twice, which he claimed were not reconnaissance trips.
He had reportedly utilized the toilet’s facilities the day before the theft, describing the experience as 'splendid.'
James Sheen, 40, from Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, had already pleaded guilty prior to Jones' conviction to multiple charges, including burglary and conspiracy to transfer criminal property.
Another individual, Frederick Doe, aged 36, played a significant role in assisting Sheen to sell the stolen gold and was found guilty of conspiracy to transfer criminal property.
Bora Guccuk, 39, from west London, was acquitted of related charges.
The toilet, plumbed in and fully functional at the time of its theft, led to flooding in the historical building after its removal, causing damage to the 18th-century stately home and its status as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Weighing approximately 98 kilograms, the toilet had previously attracted considerable public interest during its installation at the Guggenheim Museum in New York, where it was used by an estimated 100,000 visitors.
The piece was installed at Blenheim Palace for Cattelan’s first solo exhibition in the UK in over two decades.
In a statement addressing the theft, Cattelan expressed hope that the incident was a prank, questioning, 'Who’s so stupid to steal a toilet?' He also remarked that the work, titled 'America,' was meant to reflect societal excess.
The heist was executed at around 4:50 a.m. when two stolen vehicles—a VW Golf and an Isuzu truck—entered the palace grounds.
Armed with sledgehammers and a crowbar, the robbers forcibly gained access through a solid wooden door, removed the toilet, and transported it to the waiting VW Golf.
Following the robbery, Sheen made arrangements to sell the stolen gold, believed to have been relocated and processed for its material value shortly after the theft.
Thames Valley Police reported that Doe contacted Sheen to facilitate the sale and both referred to the gold as 'cars' during their discussions.
Jones was taken into custody on October 16, 2019. Authorities found evidence on his mobile phone indicating that he was searching for news articles regarding the stolen toilet shortly after the crime.
The scheduled sentencing for Doe is set for May 19, while Jones and Sheen will receive their sentences at a later date.
Detective Superintendent Bruce Riddell of Thames Valley Police acknowledged the extensive police work that led to the convictions, revealing that investigations continue to recover assets linked to past crimes attributed to Sheen.
A serious crime prevention order has been enacted against Sheen due to prior offenses, which will last five years following his imprisonment.
Shan Saunders from the Crown Prosecution Service described the robbery as a meticulously planned operation.
While the stolen gold has not been recovered, prosecutors believe that this case has disrupted a wider criminal network involved in money laundering and organized crime.
