A BUSKER who spoke on national TV about "milking the benefits system" suffered racially-motivated abuse.
Viorel Dinu, who lost both legs in an accident when he was seven, appeared on Channel 5's Gypsies On Benefits And Proud and said he had come to the UK because it was a "soft touch".
The 25-year-old Romanian, who uses a skateboard to get around, lives in Hyson Green and travels to cities across the country.
A court heard that while he was playing folk songs on the streets of York he suffered abuse from a former soldier.
Mark Hawksby, 34, claimed that there was so much money in Mr Dinu's coat by 11.30am that he tripped over it on the pavement.
Hawksby recognised the busker immediately from the hour-long television documentary, York magistrates were told.
Hawksby said: "I had a go at him about being on the programme and what he had said.
"He said he had come to Britain purposely because it was a soft touch."
Hawksby, of St Mary's Close, Wigginton, denied racially aggravated threatening behaviour but was convicted.
He was given a four-month suspended jail sentence and ordered to pay £100 costs and an £80 surcharge.
