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Two men have been convicted for their roles in the audacious theft of a fully functional 18-carat gold toilet, valued at £4.75 million, from Blenheim Palace in September 2019.
Michael Jones, 39, from Oxford, was found guilty of burglary at Oxford Crown Court. He had visited the stately home twice before the raid, taking photos of the targeted toilet and entry points. Jones assisted in the break-in alongside James Sheen, 40, the operation's mastermind, who previously pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including burglary and conspiracy to transfer criminal property.
Frederick Doe, 36, from Windsor, was found guilty of conspiracy to convert or transfer criminal property. He aided Sheen in selling the stolen gold.
The thieves executed their plan swiftly, smashing through locked gates at Blenheim Palace with stolen vehicles before breaking in with sledgehammers and a crowbar. The raid lasted just five minutes.
None of the gold has been recovered, with prosecutors believing it was melted down and sold soon after the theft. Sheen and Jones will be sentenced at a later date, while Doe will be sentenced on May 19.
With information from Sky News.
