A Buddhist monk was repeatedly punched in the face by a balaclava-clad boy riding an electric bike in a UK park. Karucha Sripramote, known as Monk Kom by locals in Newcastle, said the attack happened during a walk through Hebburn Riverside Park last Tuesday (August 18).
Attack details
The boy shouted at Karucha and blocked his path before flicking dirt on him with his bike wheel and punching him repeatedly in the face. Karucha, 34, said he was wearing his orange monastic robes and suspects he may have been targeted because of them.
Karucha recalled: "He began by sounding a horn behind me and shouting. I was aware of him, but could not hear clearly due to my earphones, so I simply moved aside to avoid his path. He then rode in front of me to block my way and continued shouting. I pointed to my earphones and waved my hand to indicate that I had no wish to engage."
Escalation
He added: "He then rode closer, turned his bike, and deliberately spun his rear wheel to throw grass and dirt over me. I tried to walk away, but he followed and repeated the action. Seeing that he would not leave me alone, I approached him to ask him to stop, but grew concerned he might ride directly at me. I held onto his sleeve to keep distance and reason with him safely, at which point he began punching me repeatedly in the face."
Karucha said he was punched "multiple times in quick succession" and received "a rapid flurry of strikes" to his face before the boy's friend appeared and kicked him with "full force", knocking him to the ground. He estimates the boys were between 12 and 15 years old.
Community response
Karucha said his glasses were damaged and he sustained a cut to his lip, but he has "no lasting injuries" and has now "almost completely healed". He said groups of youths wearing balaclavas frequently ride e-bikes dangerously close to pedestrians in the area to intimidate them, and this was the first time it escalated to physical violence.
Since speaking out, Karucha has been "deeply touched" by the "overwhelmingly kind and supportive" response from the community. In a heartfelt thank you shared on the Dhammakaya Meditation Centre of Newcastle Facebook page, he wrote: "Following my initial post regarding the incident at Hebburn Riverside Park, I thought the matter would quietly pass. Instead, I have been deeply touched by the outpouring of support, warm messages, and today, a beautiful arrangement of flowers delivered to our centre by a kind resident on behalf of the Hebburn community."
He added: "As a Buddhist monk, I contemplate life through understanding, patience, and the principle of cause and effect (Kamma). I hold no anger, resentment, or bitterness towards the young lads. My only hope is that these young lads take a moment to reflect on the kind of community they wish to grow up in." Northumbria Police is investigating the report.
