In an audacious and surreal crime that captured global attention, a solid Gold Toilet Seat worth £4.8 million was stolen from Blenheim Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Oxfordshire, England.
The theft, which took place in the early hours of September 14, 2019, shocked both art lovers and the public alike. The theft was carried out with an alarming speed and precision, and CCTV footage of the moment is now part of a high-profile court case, revealing the daring heist that unfolded in just five minutes.
The crime involved a group of thieves who carefully planned the operation, utilizing multiple vehicles and meticulous knowledge of the palace’s layout.
Blenheim Palace: The Iconic Location
Blenheim Palace, an opulent 18th-century mansion located near Woodstock in Oxfordshire, is a place of historic significance. Most notably, it was the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill, one of Britain’s most revered statesmen, and has long been a symbol of British heritage. The palace is not only an architectural masterpiece but also houses some of the finest examples of art and culture in the UK.
At the time of the theft, Blenheim Palace was hosting an exhibition by Italian conceptual artist Maurizio Cattelan, which featured a fully functional 18-carat gold toilet called America.
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The toilet, crafted by Cattelan, was a provocative piece of art that raised eyebrows worldwide. The fact that this toilet was made entirely from solid gold added to its allure and value, making it an irresistible target for criminals. However, what followed was a heist so bizarre that it could have easily been mistaken for something out of a crime thriller.
The Daring Heist
In the early hours of that fateful Saturday, two vehicles entered the palace grounds. The footage shown in Oxford Crown Court revealed that these vehicles passed through the Great Courtyard, which was adorned with Union flags as part of the ongoing exhibition. The thieves knew exactly what they were after, and their plan was executed with military precision.
At approximately 4:50 a.m., the thieves, armed with sledgehammers and a crowbar, began their break-in. The CCTV footage shows the vehicles moving across the courtyard before the criminals, wearing hoods to obscure their identities, made their move.
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Within minutes, they broke into the palace through a window, making their way to the cubicle where the solid gold toilet was located. In a bizarre moment captured on tape, one of the thieves is seen holding the toilet seat in his hands before quickly making his way to the getaway car.
The toilet, weighing 98 kilograms, was no light piece to carry. As the raiders rolled it away from its cubicle, the footage showed the suspension of a blue VW Golf sagging under the weight of the solid gold toilet.
This moment highlighted just how much planning had gone into the theft. The criminals were well aware of the toilet’s weight, and their swift action ensured they managed to leave with their prize in less than five minutes.
The Investigation and Trial
The investigation into the theft was swift, but the mystery behind the theft would continue to unravel in court. Michael Jones, Fred Doe, and Bora Guccuk were all accused of being involved in the crime. Jones, a 39-year-old from Oxford, denied one count of burglary, while Doe and Guccuk, aged 36 and 41 respectively, denied conspiring to transfer criminal property.
CCTV footage, which showed Jones and his partner visiting Blenheim Palace the day before the theft, was crucial in linking them to the crime. During their visit, Jones had even taken photographs of the toilet and the window through which the thieves later gained entry. The prosecution argued that this suggested a level of preparation that made the heist possible.
The night of the theft, Blenheim Palace security personnel spotted the thieves on CCTV and chased after the vehicles on foot, but the criminals managed to escape before they could be apprehended.
The investigation was further complicated by the fact that the toilet was stolen, believed to have been broken down and sold off in pieces. This led the authorities to suspect that the thieves had planned to melt down the gold or sell it on the black market.
The involvement of James Sheen, a 40-year-old man from Northamptonshire, also played a significant role in the case. Sheen had already pleaded guilty to burglary and was linked to the thieves through phone messages and calls.
In the days following the theft, messages between Sheen and Doe discussed the sale of the stolen gold toilet, with references to “20 cars” and a price of “26” for each car. The prosecution believes these messages were referring to 20kg of gold and the negotiations surrounding its sale.
The trial continues, with the evidence pointing to a well-coordinated, high-stakes crime involving a significant amount of planning and preparation. As the case progresses, more details are expected to emerge, shedding light on the individuals involved and the fate of the solid gold toilet.
In the end, what began as a cheeky and provocative art piece has become the center of a bizarre and audacious crime that shocked the world. Blenheim Palace’s America toilet will undoubtedly be remembered not just for its artistic value but for the way it captured the imagination of the public in the most unexpected way.
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