Two men have been sentenced for stealing a £4.8 million (Rs. 1.84 billion) solid gold toilet from Blenheim Palace during an art exhibition in September 2019. The toilet, titled America by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan, was stolen just hours after its launch event.
James “Jimmy” Sheen, 40, pleaded guilty to charges including burglary and conspiracy, while Michael Jones, 39, was convicted of burglary earlier this year. Sheen received a four-year prison sentence, in addition to a 19-year sentence for unrelated offenses, while Jones was sentenced to two years and three months.
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The theft, described by the judge as “bold and brazen,” was carried out in just over five minutes. Evidence, including Sheen’s DNA on the sledgehammer used and messages about selling the gold, linked them to the crime. Around 20kg of the toilet was sold for £520,000 (Rs. 199.64 million) shortly after the theft.
Jones, employed by Sheen as a roofer, had scoped out the palace beforehand, even booking a slot to use the gold toilet prior to the heist. Despite arresting 12 individuals, police charged only four, with some suspects still at large. Authorities continue investigations and have appealed for public assistance in the case.
