A tourist who was caught on film carving Ivan + Hayley into the walls of Rome’s 2,000 year old Colosseum has been tracked down to Bristol.
He has been identified as 27-year-old Ivan Dimitrov, originally from Bulgaria, who had travelled to Rome during a three-week trip to Europe with his 33-year-old girlfriend Hayley Bracey.
Ivan now faces up to five years in an Italian jail and a fine of up to €15,000.
However, he has also been offered a place at G Adventures’ inaugural community travel summit in Peru by founder Bruce Poon Tip.
After a video of Ivan carving his and his girlfriend’s name into the ancient monument went viral on social media, Bruce launched an global search for the pair, saying he would like offer them the ‘opportunity to …learn the value of protecting the destinations they visit’.
He said if the pair were found, he would offer them and anyone who helped him reach the pair tickets to the event in September.
Travel Gossip has asked Bruce’s spokesperson if the offer still stands.
Ivan, who also uses the surname Hawkins, was tracked down by the Italian authorities using the video evidence, CCTV and hotel records.
Police spokesperson Major Roberto Martina told media that Ivan has repeatedly apologised for his actions but his fate will ultimately be decided by Italy’s public prosecutor.
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He has been identified as 27-year-old Ivan Dimitrov, originally from Bulgaria, who had travelled to Rome during a three-week trip to Europe with his 33-year-old girlfriend Hayley Bracey.
Ivan now faces up to five years in an Italian jail and a fine of up to €15,000.
However, he has also been offered a place at G Adventures’ inaugural community travel summit in Peru by founder Bruce Poon Tip.
After a video of Ivan carving his and his girlfriend’s name into the ancient monument went viral on social media, Bruce launched an global search for the pair, saying he would like offer them the ‘opportunity to …learn the value of protecting the destinations they visit’.
He said if the pair were found, he would offer them and anyone who helped him reach the pair tickets to the event in September.
Travel Gossip has asked Bruce’s spokesperson if the offer still stands.
Ivan, who also uses the surname Hawkins, was tracked down by the Italian authorities using the video evidence, CCTV and hotel records.
Police spokesperson Major Roberto Martina told media that Ivan has repeatedly apologised for his actions but his fate will ultimately be decided by Italy’s public prosecutor.
The post Bristol tourist filmed vandalising Rome’s Colosseum faces five years in prison appeared first on Travel Gossip.
Continue reading...
