John Maldjian, 54, was charged with various offences after police in Rumson, New Jersey, received a call about a group of 30 people, aged from around 40 to 50 – possibly getting lonely, getting old – who had gathered at the house for a live performance.

Police found Mr Maldjian playing acoustic versions of Pink Floyd songs in defiance of the executive order signed by New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy prohibiting social events in order to slow the spread of coronavirus.

But the group’s high hopes for live music were dashed when they were told to disperse. The attendees began shouting “f*** the police” and “welcome to Nazi Germany”.

“Sadly I’m sure we all ‘wish we could be here’, and the Rumson Police Department takes no enjoyment in ruining anyone’s fun! However we all have a responsibility to take this pandemic seriously and adhere to the social distancing requirement,” a Rumson Police spokesperson said in a statement.