• Mar. Jun 2nd, 2026

Two men sentenced for stealing £4.75m gold toilet from Blenheim Palace

Michael Bunting

PorMichael Bunting

Jun 13, 2025
Breaking news pic

Two men have been jailed for their roles in the theft of a £4.75m gold toilet from Blenheim Palace.

James Sheen, 40, and Michael Jones, 39, were part of the gang who planned and carried out the burglary of the Oxfordshire stately home.

Sheen, 40, a roofer who pleaded guilty to burglary, conspiracy and transferring criminal property, was sentenced at Oxford Crown Court to four years in prison.

Michael Jones, 39, who worked for Sheen and was convicted of burglary at trial, was sentenced to two years and three months.

The fully functioning 18-carat gold artwork, titled America, was stolen from Blenheim Palace in September 2019.

The heist took place hours after a glamorous launch party, and the distinctive toilet was split up or melted down and sold on soon after it was stolen and has never been recovered.

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Michael Bunting

Por Michael Bunting

“I’m Michael Bunting, Communications Director with over 20 years of experience in corporate reputation, crisis management, and digital strategy. I have led teams in multinational companies and agencies, advised executives, and designed high-impact strategies. I am driven by transparency, innovation, and leveraging communication as a competitive advantage.”

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