UK Man Admits To Stealing 18-Carat Gold Toilet Worth Rs 50 Crore

One has heard of thieves who steal gold and is often warned to keep our belongings safe from such fraudsters. They mostly steal jewellery or other accessories made of gold, which have a high resale value. However, did you know a thief in the UK has admitted to stealing a gold toilet seat. As per reports, the gold toilet is worth 4.8 million pounds, which is nearly 50 crore in India. Reportedly, the thief stole it from Blenheim Palace, a 300-year-old country estate in Woodstock, Oxfordshire, England.

According to a report by The Guardian, a 39-year-old man James Sheen, of Wellingborough, pleaded guilty to burglary, handling stolen goods, and conspiracy to commit burglary at Oxford Crown Court. This 18-carat lavatory was on display at an art event back in September 2019 when it was stolen. It was designed by Maurizio Cattelan, a prominent Italian conceptual artist. Reportedly, the theft caused flooding and damage to the 18th-century property. Blenheim Palace is a historical site, and is popular for being the birthplace of the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Winston Churchill.

Meanwhile, James Sheen is already serving a 17-year term for several crimes, including equipment and prizes from the National Horse Racing Museum worth 400,000 pounds. Three additional individuals were charged in connection with the toilet heist. Michael Jones, a resident of Oxford, is charged with burglary, while Frederick Sines from Ascot, and Bora Guccuk from London, are accused of conspiring to transfer illicit property. They are scheduled to go on trial on February 24 of next year.

Known as the America, the toilet was part of an exhibition and could be used with a three-minute time limit to avoid lineups. It had only been on display for two days before being stolen.

Meanwhile, as per NDTV, another golden toilet made headlines previously, when a Hong Kong jeweller showcased a diamond-studded gold toilet at the second China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai. This lavish toilet, priced at a whopping 12 million yuan ($1.3 million), drew notice for its grandeur. While gold toilets are not uncommon, this particular one includes a toilet seat made from bulletproof glass, encasing an amazing 40,815 tiny diamonds.