British man convicted in $6 million gold toilet heist
A recent incident at Winston Churchill’s birthplace has shocked the art world and the public alike. A British man was convicted of stealing an 18-carat golden toilet that was part of an exhibit at Blenheim Palace in southern England. The toilet, titled “America” by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan, was a fully functioning piece of art that had been on display at the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The theft took place on September 14, 2019, when a group of five men broke into the palace grounds by driving two stolen vehicles through locked gates. They then smashed a window, ripped the toilet from the wall, and made off with it in just five minutes. The toilet, weighing 98 kilos, was insured for $6 million and prosecutors believe it was likely melted down and sold off in smaller amounts.
In a trial at Oxford Crown Court, Michael Jones, 39, was found guilty of burglary, while Fred Doe, 36, was convicted of conspiracy to convert or transfer criminal property, namely the stolen gold. Bora Guccuk, 41, was acquitted of the same charge. James Sheen, 39, had already pleaded guilty to burglary and related charges before the trial began.
Shan Saunders of the Crown Prosecution Service described the theft as an “audacious raid” that was carefully planned but ultimately led to the perpetrators leaving behind evidence in the form of forensics, CCTV footage, and phone data. While the stolen gold was never recovered, Saunders expressed confidence that the prosecution had disrupted a wider crime and money laundering network.
This brazen theft has left the art world reeling and serves as a reminder of the lengths some will go to in order to profit from valuable artworks. The case highlights the importance of security measures in protecting priceless pieces of art and cultural heritage. Despite the loss of the golden toilet, the successful prosecution of the thieves sends a strong message that such crimes will not go unpunished.
