A gang of thieves executed a daring heist at Blenheim Palace, smashing their way into the historic site and stealing a solid gold toilet valued at £2.8 million. The burglary, which took place in September 2019, lasted only five minutes, according to evidence presented at Oxford Crown Court.
The stolen artwork, titled America, was created by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan and was a fully functioning toilet on display at the Oxfordshire estate, famously known as the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill.
Prosecutors revealed that the 18-carat gold piece weighed approximately 98 kilograms and had an insurance value of $6 million (£4.75 million).
During the trial, prosecutor Julian Christopher KC detailed how the gang used sledgehammers and two stolen vehicles—a VW Golf and an Isuzu truck—to force their way through locked wooden gates before breaking into the palace.
Once inside, they quickly located the toilet, smashed their way into the cubicle, and removed the artwork, leaving water gushing from the disconnected pipes.
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“The burglary was carefully planned and swiftly carried out,” Christopher told the court. “The men spent just five minutes in the building before making their escape.”
Jurors heard that within days of the raid, two individuals were using the word “car” as a code to discuss the stolen gold, and attempts were made to sell it through a jeweler in Hatton Garden.
Authorities believe the toilet was melted down into smaller pieces, and none of it has been recovered.
Michael Jones, 39, from Oxford, pleaded not guilty to the burglary earlier this year. Two other suspects, Frederick Sines, 36, also known as Frederick Doe, from Windsor, and Bora Guccuk, 41, from West London, have denied conspiracy to transfer criminal property.
The court was informed that a fourth suspect, James Sheen, 40, from Northamptonshire, has already pleaded guilty to burglary, conspiracy to transfer criminal property, and transferring criminal property. His plea was entered at Oxford Crown Court in April 2024.
The trial continues, as investigators attempt to uncover more details about how the gang planned and executed one of the most audacious art thefts in recent history.
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