A fitness teacher who vandalised Rome’s Colosseum by carving his girlfriend’s name there has apologised to police for his careless act.
The identities of Ivan Dimitrov, 27, also known as Ivan Hawkins, and his girlfriend Hayley Bracey, 33, were discovered after a tourist recorded him writing their names in the 2,000-year-old brickwork and uploaded the video online.
The pair, who are Bristol residents, were on a three-week European holiday when they visited Rome.
Last week, the couple was located by the police in Bulgaria after being recognised in hotel records and CCTV footage.
Major Roberto Martina, of the Carabinieri paramilitary police, told MailOnline: ’Colleagues have spoken with the man and he has expressed his apologies and sincere remorse for what he did.
‘He had contacted us after we secured his mobile telephone from hotel records and left a message for him to call us.
‘We told him that a report would be sent to his address in the UK and then the matter would proceed to a trial, probably early next year and he would be able to apologise in person there to the court.
‘We didn’t ask him why he did it that will be for a judge to hear, we just told him that he was a suspect and was part of the investigation.
They added: ‘He told us he was very upset by what he had done, and he kept apologising for it, I think he was worried about the consequences of any trial and we explained that he could be jailed for between two and five years and be fined up to 15,000 Euros.’
Bulgarian Dimitrov – who runs his own fitness firm and is a part-time delivery driver – was filmed last week by Californian holidaymaker Ryan Lutz, as he carved the words ‘Ivan and Hayley 23’ into the brickwork with a set of keys.
Furious Ryan posted the video online and can be heard telling Dimitrov: ’Are you serious man ? That is f*****up man. Stupid a******.’
In a statement the Carabinieri said: ’Following investigations, subsequent to the complaint presented by the Colosseum Park Authority, the Carabinieri of the Command of Rome Piazza Venezia, coordinated by the Public Prosecutor of Rome, have identified, through traditional investigations and photographic comparison, the person seriously suspected of be responsible for engraving his own name and that of his partner, at the Colosseum, filming the scene, then published on social media.
‘The Carabinieri have ascertained that it is a couple, man and woman, residing in England.
‘It should be noted that the proceeding is in the preliminary investigation phase, therefore the suspect must consider himself innocent until a final sentence is issued.’
Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano said: ’I am grateful to the Arma dei Carabinieri for having promptly identified the alleged perpetrator of the uncivilized and absurd act committed at the Colosseum.
‘An act that has offended all those throughout the world who appreciate the value of archaeology, monuments and history.
‘Now I hope that justice will take its course by rigorously applying the laws. If it comes to a trial, the Ministry of Culture will appear as a civil party.’