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Man charged over vandalism of Donald Trump's Hollywood star

A man has been charged over the smashing of US President Donald Trump's star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame.

Austin Mikel Clay, 24, is accused of using a pickaxe to destroy the star on Hollywood Boulevard in the early hours of 25 July.

Clay, of Glendale, California, has been charged with one felony count of vandalism and could face up to three years in jail if he is convicted.

The star is one of more than 2,600 set into the pavements on Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Avenue.

The president received the famous accolade in 2007 for his work on the US version of reality show The Apprentice.

But it is also the site of regular protests against his policies and has been vandalised a number of times.

James Otis attacked it with a sledgehammer and pickaxe just days before the November 2016 election.

Otis was sentenced to community service and ordered to pay $4,400 (£3400) towards repairing the damage.

Meanwhile, the West Hollywood City Council is due to vote on whether to move towards permanently removing Mr Trump's star.

An agenda item for the council's meeting says: "The city council will consider adopting a resolution urging the Los Angeles City Council and Hollywood Chamber of Commerce to remove president Donald J Trump's star from the Hollywood Walk of Fame, due to his disturbing treatment of women and other actions that do not meet the shared values of the City of West Hollywood, the region, state, and country."

Austin Clay was one of the members of the public who spoke at the meeting, saying that the star is a "threat to public safety", adding: "I can see somebody getting hurt over the star".

Clay said: "The star had a definite negative energy before and after I committed vandalism."

He described Mr Trump as "unethical", "racist" and a "bigot", adding that he wanted to "preserve the integrity of the Walk Of Fame".