An angry racist was left in tears after he was arrested for threatening to smash a hammer over the head of a man who was trying to find him a job.

Dad-of-four Joshua Norton, 30, marched into the offices of J&J Recruitment in Herne Bay and launched a torrent of abuse at employment consultant Joshua Wright.

He called him a “fat, black bastard” before telling him he was going to attack him with a hammer.

The pair had been talking on the phone shortly before the incident in the town’s High Street on July 26.

Grovelling Norton, of St George’s Avenue, Herne Bay, appeared before city magistrates on Friday and admitted racially aggravated harassment.

He told the court he “saw red” and now wanted to apologise to Mr Wright, claiming he is not a racist and has “many black friends”.

"I haven’t got an explanation for it..." - Joshua Norton

Recalling the unsavoury incident, prosecutor Julie Farbrace said: “Mr Norton was one of Mr Wright’s clients at J&J Recruitment and had made an agreement to attend a work placement, but Mr Norton failed to turn up.

“They then spoke on the phone and Mr Norton felt that Mr Wright was being disrespectful.

“Mr Norton then attended the office and shouted and swore at Mr Wright.

“He called him fat and said he was going to smash him over the head with a hammer. He then called him a fat, black bastard.

“He said he was angry about the way he was spoken to over the phone.”

Mr Norton, who is expecting his fifth child, chose to represent himself in court and apologised to magistrates for his behaviour.

“I haven’t got an explanation for it,” he said.

“There is nothing to excuse it. I was incredibly angry. I am incredibly embarrassed about it and I know it was wrong.

“The way he spoke to me was wrong and then I said I would come down there and he said ‘come down here then and talk to me’. I saw red and still can’t believe I used the black comment.

“I’m not racist. I’ve got black friends, Indian friends, Romanian friends.

“When I was arrested I spent most of the time crying.

“I can’t explain it. I was so angry but there are no excuses. I really would like to have the opportunity to apologise to him.”

Magistrate Robert Green acknowledged Norton was remorseful but told him he must “try to keep his temper under control”.

He was given a community order for 12 months and ordered to undergo rehabilitation for his ADHD.

He must also pay £85 costs and £100 compensation to Mr Wright.