Two men have been jailed for stealing an £4.8m gold toilet from Blenheim Palace’s art exhibition in 2019. James “Jimmy” Sheen, 40, and Michael Jones, 39, from Oxford, were found guilty of burglary and conspiracy to steal. The thieves smashed their way into the exhibition hours after a glamorous launch party, and Sheen sold 20kg of gold just two weeks later.
Sheen, a career criminal with over six convictions since 2005, was sentenced to four years in prison for his role in the heist. Jones, who worked for Sheen as a roofer, received a three-year-and-three-month sentence after being found guilty of burglary.
The men’s plan involved multiple visits to Blenheim Palace and reconnaissance of the museum before the theft. The investigation revealed extensive evidence, including DNA traces and phone messages, which helped secure their convictions. Five other people were seen on CCTV during the heist, but it is unclear whether Jones was part of the group.
Detective Superintendent Bruce Riddell praised Sheen’s “driving force” behind the burglary, while Shan Saunders described the case as an “extraordinary audacious theft”. The men’s sentences will run concurrently with other convictions Sheen has accumulated.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgeg39vr3j3o