Madonna admirer arrested over graffiti love messages

‘Not a crime to adore singer’

A retired New York City firefighter yearning to meet Madonna was accused of scrawling messages of adoration on the pavement outside her apartment building and possessing a 7.5-inch ice pick.

Robert Linhart is charged with graffiti and criminal possession of an ice pick recovered from his car.

He is also charged with resisting arrest outside the building near Central Park.

The 59-year-old was arraigned in Manhattan Criminal Court. A judge set his bail at $20,000 in cash.

Defence lawyer Cheryl Bader told the Daily News there was “no threatening conduct” and it is “not a crime to adore Madonna”, the singer of pop hits including Like a Virgin and Material Girl.

Police said Mr Linhart was arrested on Tuesday.

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