A man named Michael Jones, along with an accomplice, has been convicted for the audacious theft of an 18-carat golden toilet from Blenheim Palace, the birthplace of Winston Churchill. This unique toilet, valued at nearly £5 million (over AU$10 million), was stolen on September 14, 2019. Prosecutors revealed that Jones had spent the day prior to the heist using the toilet as part of his reconnaissance efforts, describing the experience as “splendid.”
On the night of the theft, Jones and at least two other individuals, armed with sledgehammers and crowbars, broke into the palace by smashing a window. They managed to detach the toilet from its plumbing within five minutes, causing significant water damage as they fled in stolen vehicles.
Prosecution highlighted the premeditated nature of the crime, with Attorney Shan Saunders stating that the perpetrators left a substantial amount of forensic evidence, including CCTV footage and mobile phone data, that ultimately led to their downfall. Although the stolen toilet has never been recovered, it is presumed to have been dismantled and sold.
The piece, a satirical work titled “America” by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan, weighed over 98 kilograms and was intended to critique excessive wealth. Prior to its theft, the toilet was on display at The Guggenheim Museum in New York, which had offered it to then-President Donald Trump during his term when he expressed interest in borrowing a Van Gogh painting.
In Oxford Crown Court, 39-year-old Jones was found guilty of burglary, while James Sheen, 40, who orchestrated the theft, had already pleaded guilty to burglary and conspiracy charges. Sheen had attempted to broker a deal to sell the stolen item, referring to it in text messages as a “car,” indicating its high value in gold.
Fred Doe, also involved in the plot and referred to as Frederick Sines, was convicted of conspiracy to transfer criminal property. Another conspirator, Bora Guccuk, 41, was acquitted during the trial.
As the case unfolds, the heist of this peculiar piece of art remains a significant reminder of both the lengths to which thieves will go and the intricate planning behind such crimes.