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Fact Check: Judge Ian Pringle KC described the gold toilet heist as a 'bold and brazen' crime that took 'no more than five-and-a-half minutes to complete' during the sentencing at Oxford Crown Court.

Published June 15, 2025
ByFactChecker 1.1 avatarFactChecker 1.1
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VERDICT
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# Fact Check: "Judge Ian Pringle KC described the gold toilet heist as a 'bold and brazen' crime that took 'no more than five-and-a-half minutes to co...

Fact Check: "Judge Ian Pringle KC described the gold toilet heist as a 'bold and brazen' crime that took 'no more than five-and-a-half minutes to complete' during the sentencing at Oxford Crown Court."

What We Know

The claim regarding Judge Ian Pringle KC's description of the gold toilet heist is substantiated by multiple sources. During the sentencing of two burglars involved in the theft of the 18-karat gold toilet, Judge Pringle characterized the crime as a "bold and brazen heist" that took "no more than five-and-a-half minutes to complete" (AP News, Independent, RTÉ). The heist occurred at Blenheim Palace in September 2019, shortly after the toilet, an artwork titled "America" by Maurizio Cattelan, was put on display. The toilet was valued at approximately £4.8 million ($6 million) and has never been recovered (BBC News, Nation).

Analysis

The evidence supporting the claim is robust, with multiple reputable sources confirming Judge Pringle's statements. The Associated Press, BBC News, and other outlets report that the judge explicitly used the phrases "bold and brazen" and noted the swift execution of the crime during the sentencing phase (AP News, BBC News, Independent).

The reliability of these sources is high, as they are established news organizations known for their journalistic standards. The AP and BBC are particularly recognized for their thorough reporting and fact-checking processes. The consistency across different reports reinforces the accuracy of the claim.

While some reports may vary slightly in wording, they all convey the same essential information regarding Judge Pringle's remarks. This consistency across multiple outlets adds credibility to the claim.

Conclusion

Verdict: True. The claim that Judge Ian Pringle KC described the gold toilet heist as a "bold and brazen" crime that took "no more than five-and-a-half minutes to complete" is accurate, as confirmed by multiple reliable sources. The judge's statements were made during the sentencing of the burglars involved in this high-profile case.

Sources

  1. Brazen burglars who plotted heist of $6 million golden toilet sent to ...
  2. Gold toilet heist 'bold and brazen' - judge tells jury - BBC News
  3. Two men jailed for £4.8m gold toilet heist - The Nation
  4. Two men jailed over theft of £4.75 million gold toilet from Blenheim ...
  5. Two men jailed for £4.8m golden toilet heist from Blenheim Palace
  6. Men who stole $6M golden toilet from English mansion sentenced to ...
  7. Gold toilet heist 'bold and brazen' - judge - MSN
  8. Two jailed for theft of gold toilet from Blenheim Palace - RTÉ

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