Colosseum wall vandal begs Italian for forgiveness

EXCLUSIVE: Bristol fitness instructor who carved his name into Colosseum wall begs Italian police for forgiveness – as top cop warns he could be jailed for up to FIVE years

• The vandal’s girlfriend is not seen as complicit in the case as of yet
• The couple visited Rome as part of a three week tour of Europe 

A UK based fitness instructor seen by millions around the world defacing the 2,000-year-old Colosseum has apologised to police for his wanton vandalism.

Ivan Dimitrov, 27, who also goes by the name Ivan Hawkins, was exclusively identified by MailOnline, along with his girlfriend Hayley Bracey, 33, after an outraged tourist filmed him carving their names into the ancient brickwork and posted it online.

The couple who live in Bristol – were in the Italian capital Rome as part of a three week European tour – and were located in Bulgaria on Friday by police after they were identified through CCTV footage and hotel records.

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

Dimitov was filmed inscribing his and his girlfriend’s name into the wall of the Colosseum with a set of keys

In the video, Ryan approached the man believed to be Ivan: ‘Are you serious man? That is f***ed up man. Stupid a******e’

Ivan Dimitrov (left) was in Rome with his long-term girlfriend Hayley Bracey (right) when he carved ‘Ivan & Hayley 23’ into the 2,000 year old Colosseum in the Italian capital

‘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. The girl is not part of any complaint so is an innocent party as far as we are concerned although technically, she could be seen as an accessory.

READ MORE: EXCLUSIVE: ‘Ivan and Hayley’ revealed! Tourist who carved his name into Colosseum wall is a fitness instructor who lives in Bristol (and Italian police would like to have a word with him…)

‘But again, that will be for the prosecutor to decide once we have finished our enquires which shouldn’t take too long as the main evidence is the original video of the incident.

‘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 Euro.’

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******.’

As he challenges him Dimitrov simply turns and grins before carrying on scratching into brickwork his name and that of sports nutrionist girlfriend Hayley.

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.

The Colosseum has stood tall for nearly 2,000 years

Mr Dimitrov, who was born in Bulgaria, is pictured with Hayley who he lives with in the UK 

Geographer Ryan Lutz, 38, filmed the tourist as he carved the names into the stone walls of the 1,937-year-old building using a set of keys

Other tourists have repeatedly caused chaos in Rome, like in 2018, when two British tourists stripped and posed for photos in a fountain at one of Rome ‘s most famous monuments

‘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.’

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