In a striking case of audacious criminality, two men have been sentenced for their involvement in the theft of a £5 million (€6m) gold toilet from Blenheim Palace in the UK.
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During a brazen raid in 2019, thieves forcefully entered the premises and made off with the intricately designed 18-carat gold toilet, a piece created by the renowned Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan. This unique work of art was prominently featured at an exhibition in Blenheim Palace, the ancestral home of former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill.
Unfortunately, the distinctive toilet was dismantled and likely melted down shortly after being stolen, and its whereabouts remain unknown to this day.
The acts of these thieves, armed with sledgehammers, were vividly recounted in Oxford Crown Court. The prosecution revealed that they gained access through locked wooden gates using two stolen vehicles before breaking in through a window.
Weighing approximately 98kg and insured for an astonishing $6 million, this glittering piece of art was valued at about £3 million in gold alone. Judge Ian Pringle KC remarked on the speed of the heist: “This bold and brazen heist took no more than five-and-a-half minutes to complete.”
James Sheen, 40, from Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, had previously pleaded guilty to burglary, conspiracy to transfer criminal property, and one count of transferring criminal property. Meanwhile, 39-year-old Michael Jones from Oxford was found guilty of burglary following a trial.
Sheen, who was already serving a 19-year sentence for various crimes, including assaults on cash machines and a museum burglary, saw his sentence extended by an additional four years—served consecutively. Judge Pringle emphasized that, “You were part of the gang of five men who smashed their way into Blenheim Palace that night and stole the hugely valuable golden toilet.” He noted that Sheen was likely responsible for wielding the sledgehammer, as his DNA was discovered on the tool used to detach the toilet from its plumbing.
In contrast, Judge Pringle sentenced Jones to 27 months. The judge expressed uncertainty regarding Jones’s direct involvement in the burglary, saying, “Although you have no witnesses to where you were on the night in question, I cannot be sure that you were part of the group of burglars who broke into the palace that night.” He highlighted the significance of Jones’s prior visits to the palace for reconnaissance, stating his belief that Jones aimed to familiarize himself with the layout to facilitate the crime.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the lengths to which individuals will go for the sake of material gain, all while underscoring the enduring legacy of creativity and cultural heritage represented by works like Cattelan’s golden toilet.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.
