A 37-year-old tourist has been fined GBP 8,555 for showing his buttocks for a photograph outside Noto Cathedral in Sicily.

The Italian tourist, whose name was not disclosed, was tracked down after the photo was shared on social media and he was subsequently fined EUR 10,000 (GBP 8,555).

The costly pose took place outside Noto Cathedral in the city of Noto in the province of Syracuse on the Italian island of Sicily on 17th August.

The spectacular cathedral that was built in 1776 is the cathedral for the diocese of Noto, and made international news in 1996 when part of the cathedral dome collapsed as a result of damage from an earthquake six years previously.

It was eventually rebuilt and reopened in 2007, and attracts many visitors interested in among other things visiting the relics of Saint Corrado Confalonieri, patron saint of the city of Noto. However, this particular visitor seemed only interested in showing off his buttocks and paid the price.

The man, who comes from the Italian city of Milan, arrived at the steps of the old cathedral in the centre of the Sicilian city to carry out his prank.

He then dropped his shorts on the steps of the cathedral and showed his rear to the camera.

After posting the image on social media, the police identified the tourist and fined him for committing an obscene act in a public space.

According to reports, he was notified about the EUR 10,000 fine on 23rd August. It is unclear if the man was still staying in Sicily when he received notice or had returned to his home city Milan.

Local media speculated that the tourist was the same person who carried out a similar stunt in front of the Church of Santa Maria del Soccorso a few days before.