Welcome to the trial podcast, the trial of the golden toilet.

I'm Caroline Cheatham.

And I'm Jack Hardy.

We'll be back in a minute.

Thank you. The initial report seemed to be almost ludicrous.

The theft of an 18-carat solid gold toilet worth an estimated $6 million from Blenheim Palace in Oxford.

Thames Valley Police is investigating the burglary of a piece of art from Blenon Palace in the early hours of this morning.

But this was no prank and it was no ordinary burglary. It was described as a 5am smash and grab and it blew people away for its audaciousness.

The 80-carat throne was fully operational and even available for visitors to use at their

convenience.

Police are trying to flush the robbers out.

The fully functioning loo was called America and it was designed by an Italian artist called Maurizio Catalan as part of an exhibition.

Visitors could even book a three-minute slot if they were desperate to use it.

But in the early hours of September the 14th in 2019, thieves broke into the palace,

incidentally where Winston Churchill was born and stole it. James Sheen has already pleaded guilty

to his part in the theft. Now, three others

will go on trial after pleading not guilty to their involvement. Michael Jones from Oxford is

accused of burglary. Frederick Doe from Berkshire and Borough Guchuk of West London are both accused

of conspiracy to transfer criminal property. The trial podcast will be in court

every day following the case with me, Caroline Cheatham and my colleague Jack Hardy. Hope you can join us.

So we'll start by saying, Jack, that you're straight out of court. So you're recording this in your car like a total pro.

But that might explain a little bit why you sound like you're in a bit of a box.

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