Art exhibit theft trial delayed as defendants deny charges in lavish Loo Heist.

Three men accused of stealing a £4.8 million golden toilet art exhibit from Blenheim Palace will face trial more than a year from now after denying the charges. James Sheen, Michael Jones, and Frederick Doe, all in their 30s, appeared at Oxford Crown Court to address allegations of stealing the newly-installed piece from the historic Oxfordshire stately home four years ago.

The golden toilet, an art creation by Maurizio Cattelan, was part of the exhibition “America” at Winston Churchill’s birthplace, symbolizing the country’s wealth and excess. In the early hours of September 14, 2019, thieves broke into Blenheim Palace, extracting the fully plumbed golden piece from the floor.

During the hearing, 39-year-old James Sheen from Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, denied charges of burglary, conspiracy to transfer criminal property, and converting or transferring criminal property. Michael Jones, 38, from Oxford, pleaded not guilty to one count of burglary, while Frederick Doe, 35, from Ascot, Berkshire (formerly known as Sines), denied one count of conspiracy to transfer criminal property.

A fourth defendant, Bora Guccuk, 39, from west London, submitted a written application to dismiss the charges in his case, and his arraignment was consequently not conducted. Guccuk faced one count of conspiracy to transfer criminal property.

The trial date for Sheen, Jones, and Doe was set for February 24, 2025. Blenheim Palace, near Woodstock, Oxfordshire, was a gift to the first Duke of Marlborough, John Churchill, from Queen Anne, in gratitude for the victory in the Battle of Blenheim on August 13, 1704.