A FATHER has been fined for posting a racially offensive message on social media.

Graham Sutherland, of St John’s Road, Clacton, wrote on Facebook alongside a picture of his children with their faces painted.

The message was seen by his ex-partner and mother of his children, who has since had another daughter who is mixed race.

Sutherland, 36, had taken his children to a family fun day on August 29 and took a photo of them after returning home.

He admitted racially aggravated harassment at Colchester Magistrates’ Court.

But Sutherland told the court: “I can’t see why people find it offensive.”

Sutherland was ordered to pay £178 in fines and costs.