Brit who 'carved girlfriend's name' into Rome's Colosseum now facing up to five years in jail

There may be more trouble ahead for the tourist from the UK who carved his girlfriend's name into the Colosseum in Rome.

Footage of a man went viral after he appeared to carve 'Ivan + Hayley 23' in one of the bricks of the legendary Roman amphitheatre.

The Colosseum is a Unesco World Heritage Site so carving one's name into it is probably not the sort of thing which one ought to be doing - and the tourist could face further punishment.

According to Italian police, the tourist who carved names into the brick was a fitness instructor of Bulgarian origin who lives in the UK.

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They've said they have the man's details as they were able to track down where in Rome the couple were staying, though officers now believe the pair to have left Italy.

Police have said it is the man who appeared to carve a name into the Colosseum who would be in trouble and that his girlfriend 'is not part of the investigation'.

They've also stated that there is going to be a trial for this, and if things go badly for the man, he could face some serious punishments.

According to the Daily Mail, police have been in contact with the man, who has 'expressed his apologies and sincere remorse'.

Italian police said: "He had contacted us after we secured his mobile telephone from hotel records and left a message for him to call us.

"He was naturally worried about the legal implications, and these were all explained to him."

When they were in touch with him, they told him he could face a fine of up to €15,000 (£12,850) and could even end up in jail for between two to five years.

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Italian Minister of Culture, Gennaro Sangiuliano, said: "This act was offensive to everyone around the world who appreciates the value of archaeology, monuments and history."

"I am grateful to the Carabinieri for having swiftly identified the person who is alleged to be responsible for this act, uncivilised as it was absurd, which was committed at the Colosseum."

"‌I hope that the justice system will now run its course and rigorously apply the law. Those who cause damage will pay."

The government minister also said Italy would be tightening their laws on people found guilty of damaging historical sites.

This is not the first time a person has got in trouble for carving things into the Colosseum, as in 2014 a tourist who carved their initials into the building was fined €20,000 (£17,000).

In 2015, two people were arrested and charged with 'aggravated damage on a building of historical and artistic interest' for carving their initials into the protected site and taking a selfie featuring it.

Throughout history, the Colosseum has suffered quite a lot as over the centuries, including people stealing the iron clamps (which held much of the stonework together) and quite a bit of the marble stone over the years as well.