Who are Michael Jones and James Sheen? Men who plotted to steal gold toilet at Blenheim Palace
A BRAZEN gang of thieves smashed their way into Blenheim Palace following a glamorous art exhibition launch party and got away with a fully functioning 4.8million golden toilet.
Five men were caught on CCTV carrying out the September 2019 heist, but only two of them were ever brought to justice: Michael Jones and James Sheen.
Who is Michael Jones?
Michael Jones, 39, from Oxford was convicted of burglary for his role in the theft of the 18-carat gold toilet from Blenheim Palace.
The toilet, a fully functional artwork titled America by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan, was the centrepiece of an art exhibition at the stately home — the birthplace of Winston Churchill.
The theft occurred in the early hours of September 14, 2019, and was carried out by a group of thieves who used sledgehammers and crowbars to remove the toilet in less than five minutes.
Jones played a significant role in planning the heist.
Days before the burglary, he visited Blenheim Palace twice under the guise of viewing the exhibition.
During these visits, which prosecutors argued were reconnaissance missions, he took photos of entry points and the toilet itself.
On the night of the theft, Jones was present as part of a group that smashed through locked gates and windows to steal the 98kg artwork.
The raid caused extensive damage and flooding as the toilet was connected to the plumbing system.
Who is James Sheen?
James Sheen, 40, from Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, was identified as one of the masterminds behind the heist.
He pleaded guilty to burglary and related charges after police found his DNA at the scene and gold fragments on his clothing that matched the stolen toilet.
He orchestrated the raid by recruiting accomplices, including Jones.
Sheen also arranged for parts of the stolen gold to be sold on the black market.
[The golden toilet] wouldn’t be the easiest thing to nick. Firstly, it’s plumbed in and secondly, a potential thief will have no idea who last used the toilet or what they ate
Edward Spencer-Churchill
What happened to the golden toilet?
The gold toilet was never recovered and is believed to have been melted down and sold shortly after the theft.
The Duke of Marlborough’s half-brother and founder of the Blenheim Art Foundation, Edward Spencer-Churchill, previously told the Times: “Despite being born with a silver spoon in my mouth, I have never had a s*** on a golden toilet, so I look forward to it.”
He also said it “wouldn’t be the easiest thing to nick”, adding: “Firstly, it’s plumbed in and secondly, a potential thief will have no idea who last used the toilet or what they ate.
“So no, I don’t plan to be guarding it.”
In November 2023, a police spokesperson said: “Following an investigation by Thames Valley Police, four men have been charged in relation to a theft at Blenheim Palace.
“James Sheen, aged 39 (DOB: 16 July 1984) of Wellingborough, has been charged with one count of burglary, one count of conspiracy to transfer criminal property and one count of transferring criminal property.
“Michael Jones, aged 38 (DOB: 17 August 1985) of Oxford, has been charged with one count of burglary.
“Fred Doe, aged 35 (DOB 1 May 1988) of Ascot, and Bora Guccuk, aged 39 (DOB 5 January 1984), of West London, have both been charged with one count each of conspiracy to transfer criminal property.
“The charges relate to the theft of a golden toilet from Blenheim Palace on 14 September 2019.”
At Oxford Crown Court on April 3, 2025, Judge Ian Pringle KC set what he called the “ominous” sentencing date for Jones and Sheen of Friday, June 13, 2025.
Scams & Scandals: The Golden Toilet Heist
The audacious theft of the 18-carat gold toilet from a Blenheim Palace exhibition in September 2019 occurred just two days after it was put on display.
In episode 14 of the BBC’s Scams & Scandals, Clodagh Stenson uncovers how the crime was carried out and investigates what might have happened to the not-so-discreet £4.8million golden toilet once it was put on the black market.
Scams & Scandals: The Golden Toilet Heist airs at 8pm on BBC One on Monday, April 14, 2025.