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A Toronto man has been charged with mischief after being accused of “fornicating” a statue at the National War Memorial late Sunday night.

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Ottawa police said Andrej Szczypka was arrested at the scene and held in custody overnight until a court appearance Monday where he was released.

Police alleged the 22-year-old had climbed the Sparks Street monument at about 11:30 p.m. Sunday and, according to passersby, “began fornicating the statue.” Witnesses noticed that he was wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with the phrase “I Need a Drink.”

The man was arrested at the scene after bystanders called police.

The monument honours the country’s war dead and holds the remains of the Unknown Soldier, returned to Canada from France in 2000.

One passerby, Michael Smith, described the young man’s behaviour as “extremely offensive given what the memorial stands for.”