Blenheim Palace burglar admits stealing £4.8m golden toilet in stately home break-in
The 18-carat gold toilet vanished from Blenheim Palace, in Oxfordshire, in September 2019, after being installed as an art piece called 'America'. Three other men have denied being involved and will stand trial next year.
Tuesday 2 April 2024 18:58, UK
A man has pleaded guilty to stealing a £4.8m golden toilet from Blenheim Palace.
In September 2019, the 18-carat loo vanished from the estate in Oxfordshire, where it had been displayed as an art piece called 'America'.
The toilet was installed in Blenheim Palace, the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill, as part of Italian concept artist Maurizio Cattelan's first solo exhibition in 20 years.
Thames Valley Police previously charged four men, and now one has pleaded guilty, the Crown Prosecution Service said.
James Sheen, 39, from Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, pleaded guilty to burglary, converting or transferring criminal property and conspiracy to do the same, at Oxford Crown Court on Tuesday.
Sheen appeared in court via a video link from HMP Five Wells where he is already serving a 17-year sentence for a string of thefts.
His past crimes include stealing £400,000 worth of tractors and trophies from the National Horse Racing Museum.
Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Paste BN
Tap hereThree other men have pleaded not guilty to charges related to the theft.
Michael Jones, 38, from Oxford, is accused of burglary.
Frederick Sines, aka Frederick Doe, from Ascot, Berkshire, and Bora Guccuck, 40, of west London, are both accused of conspiracy to transfer criminal property.
Read more from Paste BN:
Taylor Swift now a billionaire
29 killed in Istanbul nightclub fire
JK Rowling won't be prosecuted after social media posts
Be the first to get Breaking News
Install the Paste BN app for free
The men are due to go on trial on 24 February 2025.