Gold bathroom heist: Man who ‘foolishly’ agreed to be Blenheim Palace theft intermediary walks free | EUROtoday

A person concerned within the plot to steal an 18-carat gold bathroom, valued at £4.75 million, from Blenheim Palace has averted jail after being given a suspended sentence. Frederick Doe, 37, acted because the intermediary within the audacious theft of the artwork piece, created by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan, from the birthplace of Winston Churchill.

A gang of thieves broke into the Oxfordshire nation home within the early hours of 14 September 2019, simply hours after the bathroom’s glamorous unveiling as a part of an exhibition. They ripped out the fully-functioning fixture, which was a star attraction.

Mr Doe, also called Frederick Sines, was discovered responsible of conspiracy to switch felony property following a trial at Oxford Crown Court in March. He has obtained a 21-month jail sentence, suspended for 2 years, and was ordered to finish 240 hours of unpaid work.

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The stolen bathroom is believed to have been damaged down or melted and offered shortly after the theft, and not one of the gold has been recovered.

In passing sentence, Judge Ian Pringle KC rejected the suggestion by prosecutor Julian Christopher KC that Doe was one of many most important gamers within the conspiracy, saying: “You were, at best, a middle man who was targeted by James Sheen as you knew people in Hatton Garden because of your knowledge of valuable watches.”

He stated Doe was “targeted” for his official contacts within the Hatton Garden jewelry district.

The choose instructed Doe: “Those responsible for this audacious heist, five individuals could be seen on CCTV, were clearly intent on disposing of their ill-gotten gains quickly – one of them was James Sheen and he knew you.

“He clearly knew you had business connections, legitimate business connections with the Hatton Garden area in London.

“You foolishly agreed to assist him.”

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The choose added: “You agreed to assist Mr Sheen without any hope or expectation of a reward for yourself.

“You do things for people as favour without any expectation of reward for yourself.

“You no doubt, for the last five-and-a-half years, regret doing for James Sheen every day since your arrest.”

Speaking outdoors courtroom, Frederick Doe stated he had been taken benefit of by those that stole the gold bathroom from Blenheim Palace.

Doe instructed the PA information company: “My good nature has been taken advantage of. I got caught up in something I should not have and now I just want to go home and enjoy my family. I am a good person.”

He left in a automotive surrounded by a gaggle of pals, who shouted “he is a good person” and stated they’d be going for a drink to have fun.