In a dramatic conclusion to a case that captivated the public, two men have been sentenced for their involvement in the audacious theft of a fully functioning gold toilet from Blenheim Palace in England in 2019. The 18-carat commode, created by renowned Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan, was valued at around $6 million and was famously referred to as "America."
On Friday, James Sheen, 44, described by prosecutors as the mastermind behind the heist, was handed a four-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to several charges, including burglary and conspiracy to transfer criminal property. Meanwhile, Michael Jones, 39, received a 27-month sentence after being convicted of burglary in March, which stemmed from his reconnaissance trips to the historic palace prior to the theft.
Shan Saunders of the Crown Prosecution Service noted the unusual nature of the case. "It is not every day that we prosecute high-value burglaries of stately homes, let alone the audacious theft of an 18-carat gold toilet," he remarked. Despite the thorough planning that went into the operation, the thieves left a significant trail of evidence that ultimately led to their downfall.
On Friday, James Sheen, 44, described by prosecutors as the mastermind behind the heist, was handed a four-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to several charges, including burglary and conspiracy to transfer criminal property. Meanwhile, Michael Jones, 39, received a 27-month sentence after being convicted of burglary in March, which stemmed from his reconnaissance trips to the historic palace prior to the theft.
Shan Saunders of the Crown Prosecution Service noted the unusual nature of the case. "It is not every day that we prosecute high-value burglaries of stately homes, let alone the audacious theft of an 18-carat gold toilet," he remarked. Despite the thorough planning that went into the operation, the thieves left a significant trail of evidence that ultimately led to their downfall.
