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A British tourist who attempted to steal several stones from the archaeological park of Pompeii is facing a hefty penalty from Italian authorities.
The 51-year-old man from Scotland was caught with a backpack containing six artefacts - five stone fragments and a brick - taken from the ancient Roman site.
The visitor was reported after being observed "picking up pieces of pavement" during an evening tour by a guide who notified park security.
British man faces €1,500 fine for stolen Pompeii stones
The tourist was apprehended by police officers outside the park near the Villa dei Misteri EAV station, an official confirmed last week.
The UK visitor reportedly admitted that he had taken the stones to gift to his son for his personal collection of rare objects, and claimed to be unaware that it was illegal to remove artefacts from the excavation site.
The stolen items were seized and given back to the archaeological park, with the visitor charged for aggravated theft.
The unidentified individual could receive a court summons and is facing potential imprisonment of up to six years and a maximum penalty of €1,500.
Gabriel Zuchtriegel, director of the Pompeii Archaeological Park, 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."
Stolen artefacts from Pompeii are ‘cursed’
Despite facing a hefty fine, the Scottish tourist may have been saved from an even worse fate.
Some believe that those who steal artefacts from Pompeii are cursed with a lifetime of misfortune.
The legend has led to a considerable number of items being returned to the ancient site, accompanied by letters of apology or regret.
In 2020, a visitor sent back relics she had taken from Pompeii 15 years earlier, insisting the objects were "cursed".
The remorseful Canadian claimed that bad luck had "plagued" her and her relatives ever since she pocketed tiles from the park when visiting in her 20s.
Attempting to calm the wrath of "the gods", the woman, identifying herself as Nicole, sent back the artefacts with an apologetic letter.
She claimed the theft of two mosaic pieces, a ceramic fragment, and parts of an amphora were behind her family's economic troubles and her two breast cancer diagnoses, leading to a double mastectomy.