In a case that captivated the public's imagination, two men were sentenced after the theft of a fully functioning 18-carat gold toilet, an artwork by renowned Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan, was stolen from Blenheim Palace in 2019. The men, James Sheen, the alleged mastermind, and Michael Jones, who conducted reconnaissance prior to the theft, received sentences ranging from 27 months to four years.
Two Sentenced for Theft of Golden Toilet at Blenheim Palace
Two Sentenced for Theft of Golden Toilet at Blenheim Palace
Two men receive prison sentences for their involvement in the 2019 audacious theft of a toilet made of solid gold from a historic English palace.
The unusual case of this luxury burglary, valued at $6 million, took a notable turn when both Sheen and Jones faced the legal consequences of their actions, which involved extensive planning yet left behind a trail of evidence, highlighting the bizarre nature of the crime.
James Sheen, 44, pled guilty to charges including burglary and conspiracy and was sentenced to four years in prison. Meanwhile, 39-year-old Michael Jones, found guilty of burglary, was sentenced to 27 months. Prosecutors noted the extraordinary nature of the theft, commenting on the rarity of prosecuting such high-stakes crimes in stately homes.
“This was an extraordinary case in many respects,” remarked Shan Saunders, a solicitor for the Crown Prosecution Service, underscoring the scandalous yet audacious nature of the theft of the golden art piece, dubbed “America.” The heist was executed in a way that belied the extensive planning, as investigators found they had left considerable evidence for authorities to trace their steps back to the crime scene.
James Sheen, 44, pled guilty to charges including burglary and conspiracy and was sentenced to four years in prison. Meanwhile, 39-year-old Michael Jones, found guilty of burglary, was sentenced to 27 months. Prosecutors noted the extraordinary nature of the theft, commenting on the rarity of prosecuting such high-stakes crimes in stately homes.
“This was an extraordinary case in many respects,” remarked Shan Saunders, a solicitor for the Crown Prosecution Service, underscoring the scandalous yet audacious nature of the theft of the golden art piece, dubbed “America.” The heist was executed in a way that belied the extensive planning, as investigators found they had left considerable evidence for authorities to trace their steps back to the crime scene.
