Two men jailed over theft of £4.75m gold toilet from Blenheim Palace

Two men have been jailed over the theft of a £4.75m gold toilet from Blenheim Palace.

James Sheen, 40, was handed a four-year sentence at Oxford crown court on Friday for his role in the heist. Michael Jones, 39, was given a 27-month term.

The fully functioning 18-carat gold toilet, which had been installed as an artwork at the Oxfordshire country house where Winston Churchill was born, was stolen in a raid in the early hours of 14 September 2019.

It was the star attraction in an exhibition at the property, and is believed to have been broken up and disposed of after it was taken.

Jurors found Michael Jones, from Oxford, guilty of burglary after a trial. He had visited the palace twice before the theft, but denied these were reconnaissance trips.

Sheen, 40, from Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, had already admitted burglary at the same court. He also pleaded guilty to transferring criminal property and conspiracy to transfer criminal property.

More details soon …