Tourist faces £1,200 fine after visiting one of the Europe's most historic sites
Italian authorities found the man after he left the Archaeological Park of Pompeii, in Italy, with a backpack containing five stones and a brick, which had been taken directly from the historic site.
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The 51-year-old Scot is now facing a hefty fine of up to €1,500 (£1,293) and a six-year prison sentence for taking the precious fragments from the archaeological site.
The man was spotted by a tourist guide, near the Basilica, picking up the pieces from the pavement and placing them into his bag.
The guide then alerted the park management team and the security guards, who alerted the Carabinieri (part of Italy 's armed forces).
Officers then found the man, outside the excavation site, and upon looking in his bag discovered the five stones and fragment of a brick.
The precious items were taken off the man and returned to the park.
The director of the Archaeological Park, Gabriel Zuchtriegem, said: "Congratulations and thanks to the attentive tour guide, to our excellent custodians and security staff, and to the Carabinieri for this collaborative effort to protect our heritage."
On the visitor website for Pompeii, it states that it is forbidden to "get too close and touch objects, frescoes, furnishings, etc" and to "deface floors, walls, antique furnishings, frescoes, benches, statues, fountains, counters and any other surface".
Visitors also cannot eat in certain areas or be bare-chested.
Pompeii was an ancient Roman city that was destroyed following the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD.
Ancient Pompeii home unseen for 2,000 YEARS finally unearthed
Buried under layers of ash, the city was preserved and today the site offers tourists from across the globe the chance to see what Roman living was like.
Though, for many centuries, Pompeii remained hidden and was only rediscovered in the 18th century following excavations in the area.
Every year, around four million people visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
And as a result of becoming so popular, in November 2024 the park introduced a daily visitor cap of 20,000 people.
To access the city of Pompeii and several of the other archeological sites like Boscoreale and Oplontis, it costs £19.01 per person.
Back in 2022, another tourist was labelled a "barbarian" by locals after he was caught riding his moped through Pompeii.
At the time he was promptly stopped and arrested for riding around the 2,000-year-old ruins and was later charged with "unauthorised access".
What is there to do in Naples?
SUN reporter Lauren Clark visited Naples, which is close to Pompeii, and here is what she thought...
Naples is one of the few Italian cities that you can still very much enjoy on a budget.
From pizza and football to castles and negronis, Lauren Clark serves up a slice of what the city – rich in culture and cuisine – has to offer.
Naples, capital of the Campania region, is considered the birthplace of pizza — and you will be spoilt for choice, with award-winning margaritas served up for just £3 at the many restaurants on its bustling streets.
One of the city's main selling points is that it's very walkable, with the main attractions easily accessible.
From the city's waterfront you can get a good look at the still-active Mount Vesuvius, which destroyed nearby Pompeii and Herculaneum with its 79 AD eruption.
Another must-do is Napoli Sotterranea (entry £11.08), where you can explore a labyrinth of tunnels revealing 2,400 years of history, from Greek aqueducts to Second World War bomb shelters.
Bargain hunters may want to eschew the A-list favourite island of Capri for the neighbouring, more affordable tiny island of Procida.
The waiters at Trattoria da Nennella, in the Quartieri Spagnoli neighbourhood, spontaneously erupt into song and dance.
There is also a Yorkshire town that's been dubbed the 'Italy of England' with historic viaduct and river boats.
Plus, easyJet is launching a new flight route to an 'underrated' Italian seaside city with stunning golden beaches.
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