In an attempt to avoid paying his pending loans, an ex-convict prefers to be behind the bars.

Salvatore Gramagna was arrested for slapping a police officer who asked him not to smoke in an area of Milan's Linate airport.

However, Gramagna got furious when his court-appointed attorney argued for his freedom in the court. The court authorities had to drag him out after he refused to budge.

The Italian news agency ANSA reported that Gramagna later confessed he was trying to avoid a group of people who are after him for loan payments. He would next appear in court on a Sept. 18 on charges of attempted assault.