A remarkable court case unfolded recently, centering on a £4.8 million golden toilet that was stolen from Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire. The artwork, entitled "America," was created by renowned Italian conceptual artist Maurizio Cattelan. The theft occurred in the early hours of September 14, 2019, leading to a sensational investigation that has captured public attention.
Michael Jones, 39, from Oxford, stands accused of burglarizing the iconic stately home. He denies one count of burglary related to the high-profile incident. The golden toilet, which weighed 98 kilograms, was insured for $6 million (£4.8 million) at the time of the theft. The value of the gold itself was estimated at £2.8 million due to fluctuating market prices.
During the proceedings, Jones revealed that he had visited Blenheim Palace twice prior to the theft. On September 7, he attended a car show, while on September 13, he returned to see the exhibition featuring the golden toilet. Jones stated that he found the artwork "splendid" and took numerous photographs of both the toilet and the palace during his visits.
The court heard that Jones is friends with James Sheen, who has already pleaded guilty to burglary related to this case. Jones worked as a roofer and general builder for Sheen's construction firm, raising questions about their connection and potential involvement in the theft. Despite the friendship, Jones maintained his innocence and claimed he did not often take time off work for museum visits, but he was particularly interested in seeing Cattelan's controversial piece.
Evidence presented to the jury included photographs taken by Jones during his visits to the palace. He described these images as capturing "interesting" views and aspects of art, which he felt compelled to document. The prosecution argues that his repeated visits to the site were suspicious and indicative of premeditated intent.
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