A RACIST painted offensive graffiti on a traditional Turkish barber shop “because staff looked at him funny”.

Craig Donkersley, 51, of Hayes Road, Clacton, told police he painted the graffiti – as well as a Star of David – on the front of the barbers “because that’s what I do when foreigners are about”.

Colchester Magistrates’ Court heard yesterday Huseyin Meydan, who owns and runs Istanbul Traditional Barbers, in Rosemary Road, Clacton, was first alerted to the problem by staff at about 8am on February 12.

Later in the day, police officers attended the business to review the CCTV and spotted Donkersley in the pictures and subsequently arrested him.

Kathy Wilson, prosecuting, said when Donkersley was interviewed by police, he said he had walked past the business at about 7am and “wasn’t sure where they came from”. She added: “He said he thought they might be Middle Eastern and they had looked at him funny when he had walked past.”

When asked why he had painted the offensive graffiti, he replied: “Because that’s what I do when foreigners are about.”

Mrs Wilson added: “He said he would not have done it if they had been white.”

Donkersley, who chose to represent himself at Colchester Magistrates’ Court yesterday, said his actions were “out of character”.

He admitted racially aggravated harassment – but also told magistrates he thought he would “test the character” of the staff by painting the graffiti.

He was given a 12-month community order, which includes a 28-day curfew between 7pm and 7am.

He must also complete a 20-day rehabilitation order.