Houston: A US man is facing hate crime charges after a Sikh youth told the Colorado police that he repeatedly pulled his beard and called it a paintbrush.


This is the latest in a string of such incidents targeting the members of the community.


David Perkins (31) is suspected of third-degree assault, harassment and a bias-motivated crime.


He was ticketed last week on suspicion of harassing the victim at least six times since 2005.


Perkins was due to appear in Boulder County court.


"This is a made-up story," Perkins said. The Boulder police have not released the name of the victim for safety reasons.


The police said the victim is in his 20s, and he and Perkins are acquaintances, having attended the same schools.


The alleged harassment started in December 2005, when Perkins pushed the victim at a pub.


Then in May 2006, when Perkins grabbed his beard and yelled, "Paintbrush, it looks like a paintbrush."


But, Perkins told officers he was joking.


The incident has come to light, as Sikhs in New York City held a protest against alleged hate crime attacks on three school students.