Key takeaways:

• A solid gold toilet valued at £4.8 million was stolen from Blenheim Palace in 2019.
• The theft occurred in under five minutes, with evidence pointing to premeditated burglary.
• Three men face trial for their roles, with one previously pleading guilty.
• The stolen artwork, titled "America" by Maurizio Cattelan, has never been recovered.

Three men are currently on trial for the audacious theft of an 18-carat gold toilet worth £4.8 million from Blenheim Palace, the birthplace of Winston Churchill. This notorious heist took place in the early morning hours of September 14, 2019, when a group reportedly drove two stolen vehicles through locked gates and managed to steal the toilet in less than five minutes, according to the prosecution. The toilet, which weighed 98 kilograms and was insured for $6 million, was part of an art exhibit that featured the work, "America," by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan—satirically designed to critique extravagant wealth.

Prosecutor Julian Christopher shared in Oxford Crown Court that five suspects carried out the heist, demolishing the bathroom door using sledgehammers, which they left behind as evidence. Despite substantial efforts, the toilet remains missing and is believed to have been dismantled and sold for its gold content. Michael Jones, aged 39, appears in court for his alleged involvement in the burglary, while co-defendants Fred Doe, 36, and Bora Guccuk, 41, are charged with conspiracy to transfer criminal property. All defendants have maintained their innocence.

Significantly, evidence indicates that Jones conducted detailed reconnaissance of the palace prior to the theft, taking photographs and planning the burglary systematically. In one message, co-conspirator James Sheen claimed to have a “car” he wanted to sell, a coded reference to the stolen gold. Sheen had previously pleaded guilty to multiple charges related to the theft and has cooperated with authorities regarding the negotiations for the disposed gold.

The court has been informed that the raid caused considerable damage to the heritage site, leaving water gushing from the plumbing after the toilet was removed, damaging the historic structure. Blenheim Palace, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, attracts thousands of visitors annually and is noted for its wealth of art and furniture. The trial is set to last for approximately four weeks, as jurors examine the evidence surrounding this unprecedented crime.

For more information, check the full coverage by BBC, South China Morning Post, HuffPost, and Reuters.