Two UK men jailed over $6M gold toilet theft
Two men were sentenced on Friday for their involvement in the theft of a solid-gold toilet worth £4.5 million (approximately $6 million), which they stole by breaking into a historic property in England.
James Sheen, 40, and Michael Jones, 39, were jailed at Oxford Crown Court in central England for four years and 27 months respectively, News.Az reports citing foregin media.
The toilet artwork dubbed “America” was created by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan and had been on display as one of the star attractions at an exhibition in the 18th-century home.
Passing sentence, Judge Ian Pringle said: “This bold and brazen heist took no more than five-and-a-half minutes to complete.
“America has never been seen again.”
Weighing around 98 kilogrammes (216 pounds), the artwork was insured for $6 million and was made with 20 kilograms of gold valued at around £2.8 million. It was stolen just hours after a glamorous exhibition launch party by the sledgehammer-wielding thieves.
Prosecutors said the work was likely broken up or melted down and sold soon after the theft. The gold has not been recovered.
It is believed that Sheen took the 20 kilos of gold to the Birmingham Jewellery Quarter on September 2019 and sold it for £26,000 a kilogramme - earning £520,000.
Jurors heard earlier that Sheen first got in touch with a third man, Frederick Doe, two days after the raid to ask if he could help him sell some of the gold. Doe replied to Sheen in a WhatsApp message: “I do know just the man you need to see.”
The 37-year-old, described by a judge as a “foolish” middleman, escaped jail for his role in the heist.
He was handed a suspended sentenced last month after being found guilty of conspiracy to transfer criminal property.
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