Man, 52, charged with vandalising Donald Trump's walk of fame star

James Otis, 52, is accused of using a pick axe and sledgehammer to smash the star on October 26 – two weeks before Mr Trump won the US presidential election.

Otis allegedly removed a brass medallion from the middle of the star during the attack, prosecutors said.

Donald Trump (David Zalubowski/AP)

He is charged with one count of vandalism over 400 dollars (£322) and faces up to three years in jail if convicted, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office said.

Otis is due to appear in court at Foltz Criminal Justice Centre in Los Angeles on Friday, where bail will be recommended at 20,000 dollars (£16,108).

Police are continuing to investigate the incident.

Donald Trump’s vandalised star (Richard Vogel/AP)

The tycoon received the 2,327th star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame in 2007 for his work on the American version of The Apprentice.

After the star was vandalised, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, which manages the Walk of Fame, said it intended “to prosecute to the full extent of the law”.

Leron Gubler, president of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, said at the time: “The Hollywood Walk of Fame is an institution celebrating the positive contributions of the inductees.

“When people are unhappy with one of our honourees, we would hope that they would project their anger in more positive ways than to vandalise a California State landmark. Our democracy is based on respect for the law. People can make a difference by voting and not destroying public property.”

Mr Trump’s star was repaired immediately after it was attacked and covered for several days for protection, a Hollywood Chamber of Commerce spokeswoman said.