A crowbar-wielding thug who launched a violent racist attack in the channel tunnel terminal in Folkestone has been spared a spell behind bars.

Adrian Stefanski admitted attacking Paul Coker at the terminal on Sunday, December 20 last year after losing his temper in a traffic jam.

The man started by threatening to kill Mr Coker, before punching him, swearing at him, pulling down his trousers to expose his bottom, threatening him with a crowbar and calling him a monkey.

Mr Coker reported his ordeal to the police, who arrested 29-year-old Stefanski and charged him with racially aggravated assault.

He appeared at Folkestone Magistrates’ Court earlier this month where prosecutor Neil Sweeney described how Mr Coker, along with his wife and two young sons, had been boxed in by Stefanski in the queue.

Stefanski swore at Mr Coker and said: “If you hit my car, I will kill you.”

Then moments later he got out the car and walked over to Mr Coker and punched the window.

Stefanski again swore at Mr Coker and told him: “You hit my car, now I’m going to do you.” He yanked open the car door and punched him, then slammed the door on his leg.

Then he grabbed Mr Coker and shouted a torrent of racist and foul-mouthed abuse, saying: “You black monkey, go get a banana, go get back in your tree.”

The terrified family then saw Stefanski retreat to his car and rummage around in the boot before brandishing a crowbar, at which point a second man in Stefanski’s car led him away.

Stefanski, of Westleigh Avenue in Leicester, pleaded guilty to the charges of racially aggravated assault, possessing an offensive weapon in public, and causing intentional alarm and distress.

He denied being a racist and calling Mr Coker a monkey, claiming the attack was out of character, but he admitted that he had used several racist slurs during his tirade.

Mr Coker's testimony was read out in court, where he explained how he had tried to keep his cool after being confronted.

"I’m disgusted at the racist abuse directed towards me. My whole family has been left traumatised by the experience.” - Paul Coker

He said: “The only reason he did this was due to my skin colour. My wife kept telling me to calm down as we didn’t want him to react.

“I did nothing but smile at the ridiculous nature of the abuse, but this winded him up even more. He removed the buckle of his trousers and then started to slap his backside and told me to kiss his white backside.

“I felt very nervous and kept my distance from him. I’m shocked by what happened and it’s had a big impact upon me and my family.

“My sons were in the back of the car and saw everything. They were crying with fear. My wife was trembling. I’m disgusted at the racist abuse directed towards me. My whole family has been left traumatised by the experience.”

Stefanski reappeared at Folkestone Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday this week where he was told he would not be sent to prison because of his early guilty plea.

Instead he was given two 18-week jail sentences suspended for two years for the racially aggravated assault and for carrying the crowbar. He was also given a 12-week sentence for using threatening words and behaviour which was also suspended for two years.

Stefanski was told he will have to complete 300 hours of unpaid work within the next year, and he will have to pay £200 in compensation to Mr Coker. The court also imposed £80 for victim surcharge and £85 for Crown Prosecution Service costs.