03 April 2024 , 05:58
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James Sheen pleaded guilty to burglary, transferring criminal property and conspiracy to do the same at Oxford Crown Court after stealing the 18-carat toilet from the art exhibition
A man has pleaded guilty to the theft of a £4.8million gold toilet from an art exhibition at Blenheim Palace.
James Sheen, 39, pleaded guilty to burglary, transferring criminal property and conspiracy to do the same at Oxford Crown Court today. The 18-carat toilet was stolen in September 2019 while it was featured in an art exhibition.
Sheen, from Wellingborough in Northamptonshire, appeared via video link from HMP Five Wells and is already serving a 17-year sentence for a string of thefts, including from ATMs. Sheen also stole £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, of Clarks Row, Oxford, is accused of burglary. Frederick Does (formerly Sines), 35, of North Street, Winfield, Windsor, and Bora Guccuk, 40, of West London, are both accused of conspiring to transfer criminal property.
They are due to go on trial on February 24 next year, a proceeding estimated to take four to six weeks. The art installation, entitled ’America’, was available for visitors to look at and sit on. It is the work of artist Maurizio Cattelan and was plumbed in the palace, near the room where Winston Churchill was born.
Blenheim Palace is a popular destination for a family day out, especially its Lost Garden adventure playground, which is a paradise for kids, with climbing walls, towers and turrets, a zip wire, wobbly walkways and secret chambers to explore.
The amazing adventure play area is tucked away within the walled garden at Blenheim Palace, the luxurious stately home that was the birthplace of Winston Churchill. The Lost Garden adventure playground opened in April and the massive 1.38-acre site is larger than a football pitch and cost £3.6 million to build. The site is overlooked by a big viewing platform that is perfect for adults to relax while keeping an eye on while their little ones explore.
Managing director Heather Carter said: “The Lost Garden is the biggest project Blenheim Palace has undertaken for many years. Designed to provide a dramatically enhanced family visitor experience, this is a huge, game-changing investment for us – both in terms of cost and business potential. Stepping inside the Lost Garden children will feel like they are entering a different world."
Designed for kids aged two to 12 the playground has something for all ages, as well as on-site cafe and toilets. Entrance to the adventure playground costs £7, which is on top of entry to Blenheim Palace which is 35 for adult entry to the palace/grounds and gardens, £20 per child aged three to 16.
The rest of the grounds are also fascinating, there’s a massive hedge maze, a butterfly house and a pizza restaurant, plus plenty of places to picnic as well as the opulent house itself. Gilded state rooms a priceless art collection and antique furniture await inside. Tours take visitors around the Marlborough family’s private apartments and secret corridors as well as the staff quarters downstairs.