A man on trial has testified he used a golden toilet at Blenheim Palace before it was stolen in a 2019 burglary.
The toilet was a working art piece, created by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan. Thieves used a sledgehammer to break in and steal the golden toilet.
Michael Jones, age 39, pleaded not guilty to burglary in January. James Sheen, age 40, admitted to burglary. Frederick Sines, 36, denies conspiracy to transfer criminal property. Bora Guccuk, 41, also denies this charge.
Jones said he knew Sheen for work but did not know Guccuk or Doe before the trial. Jones worked for Sheen as a roofer and builder, starting around 2018. Jones arranged payments for Sheen’s other workers.
He visited the palace twice before the theft. Prosecutors think these were scouting trips, but Jones denies this idea. He first visited with his partner during a car show, and they bought annual passes. They took many pictures.
Photos showed art, cars, and the gold toilet poster. Jones returned the day before the theft, jurors heard. He spent 90 minutes at the palace. The prosecutor asked why he took time off work. Jones said he was interested in the palace.
Jones photographed the broken window that night and also took photos of art. Jurors examined these photos. Jones said he photographed Union flags in the distance. He also photographed a toilet lock, saying it was funny.
Jones denied showing the photos to anyone, and he said Sheen did not ask for them. Someone asked if he used the gold toilet. Jones said he did. Later, they asked what it was like. Jones replied, “Splendid.”
The toilet weighed 98 kilos, and the theft took five minutes. Jones claimed he was asleep that night. The artwork was worth millions and was likely broken down after the theft. The thieves broke through locked gates and used a window to get inside. The trial is ongoing.