Home   News   National   Article

Man pleads guilty to theft of golden toilet from Blenheim Palace


By PA News

Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.



Click here to sign up to our free newsletters!

A man has pleaded guilty to the theft of a £4.8 million golden toilet from Blenheim Palace.

James Sheen, 39, from Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, pleaded guilty to burglary, converting or transferring criminal property and conspiracy to do the same at Oxford Crown Court on Tuesday, the Crown Prosecution Service said.

The 18-carat toilet was stolen in September 2019 while it was featured in an art exhibition.

Sheen appeared at Oxford Crown Court via video link from HMP Five Wells, where he is already serving a 17-year sentence for a string of thefts.

The damage at Blenheim Palace after thieves stole the sculpture
The damage at Blenheim Palace after thieves stole the sculpture (Blenheim Palace/PA)

This includes £400,000-worth of tractors and high-value trophies from the National Horse Racing Museum in Newmarket.

Three other men have pleaded not guilty to charges related to the theft.

Michael Jones, 38, from Oxford, is accused of burglary.

Frederick Sines, aka Frederick Doe, from Ascot, Berkshire, and Bora Guccuck, 40, of west London, are both accused of conspiracy to transfer criminal property.

The men are due to go on trial on February 24, 2025.

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.

Keep up-to-date with important news from your community, and access exclusive, subscriber only content online. Read a copy of your favourite newspaper on any device via the HNM App.

Learn more


This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More