In one of the most audacious and bizarre art thefts in recent memory, two men have been jailed for their roles in the 2019 theft of a fully functional 18-carat gold toilet, valued at £4.8 million, from an exhibition at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire.
The toilet, titled America, was part of a provocative installation by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan. It was stolen just hours after the opening night of the exhibit at the historic UNESCO World Heritage Site and birthplace of Winston Churchill. The brazen crime triggered a years-long investigation that ultimately led to the convictions of James “Jimmy” Sheen, 40, and Michael Jones, 39—both of Oxford.
The Bold Heist
On the night of the theft in September 2019, thieves broke into Blenheim Palace and removed the gold toilet in a matter of minutes, damaging plumbing and flooding the building in the process. The operation lasted just over five minutes but required precise timing and bold execution.
James Sheen, described in court as a seasoned career criminal, was convicted of theft, conspiracy to transfer criminal property, and related offenses. He was sentenced to four years in prison. His accomplice, Michael Jones, received two years and three months for his role in the theft.
Jones had visited Blenheim Palace multiple times in the days leading up to the heist, even booking a time slot to use the toilet—during which he took selfies and photographs of a bathroom lock. In court, he humorously described the experience of using the gold toilet as “luxurious.”
Evidence and Forensic Breakthroughs
The breakthrough in the investigation came years after the initial arrests. Though Sheen and Jones were detained shortly after the incident, they were initially released due to insufficient evidence. It wasn’t until 2023, after forensic analysis of digital data and physical evidence, that charges were successfully brought.
Police uncovered DNA evidence on clothing, traces of gold particles, and incriminating content on Sheen’s mobile phone. Voice messages to Fred Doe, a Berkshire businessman later convicted for conspiring to sell stolen gold, showed Sheen referring to the toilet in coded language—calling it a “car” and describing it as “as good as money.”
Within two weeks of the heist, Sheen had already sold 20 kilograms (about one-fifth) of the gold to a buyer in Birmingham for £520,000. Police believe most of the toilet has been melted down and sold, making full recovery unlikely.
Criminal Network and Unsolved Angles
This theft was no isolated act. A BBC investigation into Sheen’s background revealed that he had led organized crime groups responsible for over £5 million in thefts and fraud since 2005 and had served multiple prison sentences.
Twelve people were arrested in connection with the toilet theft, but only four were ultimately charged. Police say at least five individuals were involved, based on CCTV footage, and that two suspects remain unidentified. Authorities continue to pursue leads.
Meanwhile, Fred Doe, who conspired to sell the stolen gold, was convicted in March 2025 and received a 21-month suspended sentence. Bora Gokkuk, a London-based jeweller, was acquitted of any involvement.
Art and Security in the Spotlight
The theft of America sparked global fascination—not just for the unusual object stolen, but for what it revealed about the vulnerabilities in protecting high-value artwork. The toilet’s dual status as a satirical art piece and a fully functional fixture added to the intrigue.
Despite its artistic value, the sheer monetary worth of the gold made it an irresistible target. The case has reignited debates around security protocols in cultural institutions and the need for better protection of mobile, high-value installations.
The Investigation Continues
Detective Superintendent Bruce Riddell of Thames Valley Police emphasized the complexity of the investigation, citing the challenges posed by COVID-19 and the extensive digital forensics required.
“This case has been unlike any other,” he said. “We are still appealing to the public—someone out there may hold the key to the toilet’s whereabouts or the identities of those still at large.”
Though the convictions of Sheen and Jones bring some closure, the golden toilet itself remains missing, likely melted and sold. For now, the case remains part cautionary tale, part modern legend—a bizarre intersection of art, crime, and greed.