The 34-year-old suspect is accused of breaking into her ex-partner’s apartment in 2014 and destroyed 54 violins and 70 bows.

The damage is believed to be worth around £770,000, with the most valuable instrument worth almost £350,000 alone.

The owner of the broken instruments is a 62-year-old violin maker and collector, according to press reports.

The woman, a Chinese national, was only arrested yesterday on her return to Japan, where her ex-partner lives.