American tourist told Rome police that he didn't know it was forbidden.

A 26-year-old tourist from New York was fined €450 by Rome police after being caught splashing around in the waters of the Trevi Fountain on the morning of 26 May.

The tourist, who told police he couldn't remember the location of his hotel, claimed he was unaware that swimming in Rome's fountains was illegal, according to Rome daily newspaper La Repubblica.

The incident, which took place at around 07.00, is the latest in a string of cases of tourists behaving badly at the Baroque monument, from naked dips to brawling over the perfect selfie.