Thieves who stole golden toilet from Blenheim Palace receive conviction

Posted On March 19, 2025March 19, 2025

Three thieves who stole the 18-carat gold toilet from Blenheim Palace were convicted on March 18th in Oxford Crown Court in the UK.

The artwork by Maurizio Cattelan, titled ‘America’ is 98 kilograms of pure gold valued at £2.8 million ($3.6 million). It is believed to have been cut into parts or melted and sold since the burglary.

Over five years ago, Michael Jones and two other men forced their way into Blenheim Palace through a window on the dawn of September 14th, 2019. They pried the toilet from its plumbing with crowbars and sledgehammers in less than five minutes, leaving behind a flood, before disappearing on stolen vans.

Mr Jones admitted in court he visited the palace on two occasions before the theft. On the second visit – the day before the heist – he told the court he had booked a slot to use the toilet, an experience he described as “splendid”.

The fully functioning toilet had been on display for just two days as part of an exhibition by Cattelan. The toilet was on loan from the Guggenheim in New York and was offered to President Trump during his first term in office.

The other thieves have been named James Sheen, who pleaded guilty to burglary and transferring criminal property in 2024, and Fred Doe, who was convicted of conspiracy to transfer criminal property along with Jones. Bora Guccuk was cleared of the same charge.

Judge Ian Pringle KC told the jury: “This was not a bog standard burglary – it was an audacious heist on one of the most famous palaces in this country.”

“It was a bold and brazen burglary, with great rewards for anyone who got away with it,” the KC added.

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