Trial Begins for Three Over Gold Toilet Theft from Blenheim Palace

The theft of a unique 18-carat gold toilet, titled 'America' by artist Maurizio Cattelan, occurred in a meticulously planned five-minute raid at Blenheim Palace, the birthplace of Winston Churchill, in September 2019. The court heard that Michael Jones and four other men executed the burglary using stolen vehicles, breaking through locked gates and a window to access the exhibit. The toilet, valued at £4.8 million and insured for the same amount, was never recovered and is believed to have been melted down and sold. Prosecutors argue that Jones conducted extensive reconnaissance, photographing critical entry points prior to the theft. The artwork, which satirized wealth, had previously been displayed at The Guggenheim Museum in New York and was offered to President Trump when he requested to borrow a Van Gogh. Julian Christopher, the prosecutor, described the operation as requiring significant preparation, with the burglars leaving behind smashed sledgehammers and causing damage to the historic site.