The unideintified man toppled the statue of Dom Sebastiao outside Rossio railway station in Lisbon after clambering up to its pedestal.

He tried to run away but police caught him – he is due in court at a later date.

The statue, which was child-sized, stood in a niche flanked by two horseshoe-shaped arches at the entrance to the station.

Dom Sebastiao ruled between 1557 and 1578. He died in battle at the age of 24 during a crusade in Morocco.

Because his body was never found, legend has it that he will one day return to the Portuguese throne and the save the country during times of trouble.