Golden Throne Heist Leads to Prison Sentences in UK

A brazen theft of a gold toilet from an English palace has led to prison time for two burglars. The valuable artwork, a satirical piece by a famous artist, was taken in a swift heist that has captured global attention.

The Crime and the Criminals

In Oxford Crown Court, two individuals involved in the audacious theft of a $6.4 million gold toilet were sentenced to over two years behind bars. The toilet, titled “America,” was created by the Italian conceptual artist **Maurizio Cattelan**. It was ripped from the plumbing of Blenheim Palace, a stately home in England, in September 2019.

**James Sheen**, 40, who admitted to burglary, conspiracy, and transferring criminal property, received a four-year prison sentence. **Michael Jones**, 39, was convicted of burglary and sentenced to two years and three months. The stolen toilet was never retrieved and is presumed to have been dismantled and sold.

“This bold and brazen heist took no more than 5 1/2 minutes to complete,”

— Judge Ian Pringle, Oxford Crown Court

The toilet’s value in gold at the time was roughly £2.8 million (NZ$5.8 million), despite being insured for £4.7 million (over NZ$9.9 million). This incident underscores the increasing value placed on unusual art; in 2024, a banana duct-taped to a wall, also by **Cattelan**, sold for $6.2 million at auction, according to recent reports.

The Heist Unfolds

The luxurious toilet, displayed at Blenheim Palace, was only on show for a few days before the heist occurred. Before the theft, **Jones** had visited the museum twice, taking photos and assessing the locks, even having a private session on the golden throne. He described the experience as “splendid” during his testimony.

The gang of thieves used stolen vehicles to smash through the palace gates. They then sped across the grounds to the courtyard. There, they broke a window **Jones** had photographed earlier. Using sledgehammers and a crowbar, they removed the toilet from its setting, inflicting significant damage to the historic site.

Surveillance footage showed a masked man exiting with the golden toilet seat. Two other men appeared to lift something gold into a waiting car; the car’s suspension dipped under the weight. **Sheen**’s DNA was found on a sledgehammer left at the scene, as well as gold fragments on his sweatpants.

**Sheen** had sent a relative a photo of £520,000 in cash, which a prosecutor stated was related to the sale of about a fifth of the gold. However, neither the money nor the gold has been recovered, and no other individuals have been charged with the theft.

Legal Ramifications and Ongoing Investigation

Another person, **Frederick Doe**, also known as **Frederick Sines**, who attempted to aid **Sheen** in finding a buyer, received a suspended sentence for conspiracy. The investigation, according to Detective Superintendent **Bruce Riddell** of the Thames Valley Police, is ongoing and could involve seizing luxury goods acquired with funds from the crime.

Both **Sheen** and **Jones** had extensive criminal histories. At the time of the burglary, **Sheen** was out on parole. **Jones**’s criminal record began at age 13, including convictions for burglary, car theft, and robbery. This heist occurred on a Friday the 13th, nearly six years ago.

For several years, the burglars seemed to have eluded justice. However, **Sheen** and **Jones** ultimately faced consequences for their actions. As of the latest reports, the search continues for the other individuals involved.