The 18-carat gold toilet, constructed as an artwork named “America,” disappeared from Oxfordshire’s Blenheim Palace in September 2019. Three more guys will go on trial the following year; they have all denied any involvement. A man has admitted to taking a golden toilet worth £4.8 million from Blenheim Palace. The 18-carat lot disappeared in September 2019 from the Oxfordshire estate, where it was on exhibit as part of an artwork named “America.”
In Blenheim Palace, the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill, a toilet was constructed as part of the first solo show by Italian concept artist Maurizio Cattelan in twenty years.
The Crown Prosecution Service said that after Thames Valley Police charged four men in the past, one of them has now entered a guilty plea.
On Tuesday, James Sheen, 39, of Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, entered a guilty plea at Oxford Crown Court to the charges of burglary, conversion or transfer of illicit goods, and conspiracy to do the same. Sheen, who is currently serving a 17-year term for a number of thefts, made an appearance in court via a video link from HMP Five Wells.
Among his previous transgressions was the theft of prizes and tractors from the National Horse Racing Museum, totaling £400,000.
Regarding the theft accusations, three other males have entered not guilty pleas.
Oxford resident Michael Jones, 38, is charged with burglary.
Frederick Sines, also known as Frederick Doe, resides in Ascot, Berkshire. Bora Guccuck, 40, is accused of conspiring to transfer illicit property. The men’s trial is scheduled for February 24, 2025.
