Fact Check: Det Supt Bruce Riddell of Thames Valley Police described James 'Jimmy' Sheen as the 'driving force behind the burglary' with a motive to make money by any means necessary.

Fact Check: "Det Supt Bruce Riddell of Thames Valley Police described James 'Jimmy' Sheen as the 'driving force behind the burglary' with a motive to make money by any means necessary."

What We Know

In June 2025, James 'Jimmy' Sheen was sentenced for his role in the theft of an 18-carat gold toilet valued at £4.8 million from Blenheim Palace, an incident that occurred in September 2019. During the trial, Det Supt Bruce Riddell of Thames Valley Police stated that Sheen was the "driving force behind the burglary" and emphasized that his motive was "to make money by any means necessary" (BBC, Sky News). Sheen, who has a significant criminal history, pleaded guilty to burglary, transferring criminal property, and conspiracy to do the same (BBC).

The heist was characterized by its audacity, taking only five-and-a-half minutes to execute, and involved multiple individuals, including Michael Jones, who was also convicted for his role in the crime (BBC, Sky News). The police investigation revealed a wealth of evidence, including DNA found at the scene and incriminating messages on Sheen's phone, which indicated his involvement in the planning and execution of the theft (BBC, Sky News).

Analysis

The claim that Det Supt Bruce Riddell described Sheen as the "driving force behind the burglary" is substantiated by multiple credible sources. Both the BBC and Sky News reported Riddell's statement directly, confirming that he attributed a significant role and financial motive to Sheen in the planning and execution of the heist (BBC, Sky News).

The reliability of these sources is high, as they are established news organizations known for their journalistic standards. The statements made by Riddell were part of the official court proceedings, which adds to their credibility. Additionally, the context of Sheen's previous criminal history, which includes multiple convictions for serious offenses, supports the assertion that he was motivated by financial gain (BBC, Sky News).

While the claim is corroborated by the statements of law enforcement officials and the details surrounding the case, it is important to note that the nature of Sheen's criminal activities and his history of organized crime lend weight to the assertion of his motive being purely financial (BBC, Sky News).

Conclusion

The claim that Det Supt Bruce Riddell described James 'Jimmy' Sheen as the "driving force behind the burglary" with a motive to make money by any means necessary is True. This conclusion is based on direct quotes from credible sources reporting on the case, as well as the context provided by Sheen's criminal background and the details of the heist.

Fact Check: Det Supt Bruce Riddell of Thames Valley Police described James 'Jimmy' Sheen as the 'driving force behind the burglary' with a motive to make money by any means necessary.