Rome, 9 October (AKI) - An Italian man dressed like movie and cartoon hero Superman was arrested and hauled in front of a judge for stalking Italy's prime minister Silvio Berlusconi for over a year. The man said he had been trying to get a 'recommendation' from the media mogul to get into the entertainment industry.

Pasquale Putignano, a 29 year-old aspiring actor from the southern Italian city of Palermo appeared in front of judge Gustavo Barbalinardo. He was charged with resisting arrest, after police stopped him outside Berlusconi's Rome residence Palazzo Grazioli as he frantically tried to attract the premier's attention. Berlusconi reportedly did not notice Putignano.

He spent the night and jail and was later released by Barbalinardo and told him that he would have to appear in court on 16 October for his trial.

Putignano told Barbalinardo he had dressed as Superman out of desperation, claiming he'd been unlucky an that he needed the 'recommendation' to enter the entertainment world.

He was still wearing his Superman outfit at his court arraignment - minus the cape, which was confiscated by police.