Vanessa Hudgens told to pay a fine or face court over rock carving

Updated

Vanessa Hudgens has been told to pay a fine or face court for allegedly carving a heart into a red rock in the US.

The High School Musical star posted a photo of the etching - bearing her name and the name of her beau Austin Butler - on Instagram around Valentine's Day, when the couple were apparently enjoying a romantic break.

It transpired the heart was carved into a stone in a national forest in Sedona, Arizona - and damaging a natural feature on US Forest Service land is a misdemeanour punishable by up to six months in jail and a maximum $5,000 (£3,500) fine.

Forest Service officials said they have contacted the 27-year-old actress, who "was co-operative in providing the specific location" of the carving.

They referred the investigation results to the US Attorney's Office in Flagstaff, Arizona, which set a potential hearing date and contacted the star.

Authorities said that Vanessa's options now are to accept the agreement and pay an undisclosed fine and restitution or appear in court to answer to the misdemeanour violations.

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