Man Convicted of £4.75 Million Gold Toilet Theft from Blenheim Palace

Michael Jones found guilty of burglary, while deliberations continue for co-defendants accused of conspiracy to transfer stolen property.

Michael Jones, 39, has been convicted of stealing an 18-carat gold toilet valued at £4.75 million from Blenheim Palace in 2019.
The artwork, titled 'America' by Maurizio Cattelan, was a fully functional toilet and a centerpiece of an exhibition at the historic site.
James Sheen, a co-conspirator and Jones's former employer, previously pleaded guilty to burglary and conspiracy to transfer criminal property in 2024.
Jurors are still deliberating charges against Frederick Doe and Bora Guccuk, who are accused of conspiring to sell gold from the stolen toilet.
The theft caused significant damage to Blenheim Palace’s plumbing and infrastructure, underscoring the challenges of safeguarding high-value art.