Buddhist monk ‘punched in the face’ by balaclava-clad boy in UK park

A Buddhist monk was hit with a "rapid flurry of strikes" to his face when he was attacked by a balaclava-clad thug riding a bike in a UK park.

Karucha Sripramote, known as Monk Kom by locals in Newcastle , said he was "repeatedly harassed" by a boy on an electric bike during a walk through Hebburn Riverside Park. After he was shouted at and had his path blocked by the lad on a bike, the situation escalated quickly.

The boy flicked dirt on Karucha with his bike wheel last Tuesday (August 18) before punching him repeatedly in the face. Police are now investigating the attack, reports Chronicle Live .

"He began by sounding a horn behind me and shouting," Karucha recalled. "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."

The 34-year-old 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, who suspects he may have been attacked as he was wearing his orange monastic robes, 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 from elsewhere in the park and kicked him with "full force" and knocked him to the ground. He estimates that the boys were between 12 and 15 years old.

Karucha said his glasses were damaged in the attack and he sustained a cut to his lip. He hopes that sharing his experience will prevent anyone else from being targeted.

Karucha said: "Groups of youths wearing balaclavas frequently ride e-bikes dangerously close to pedestrians in this area to intimidate them. It has happened to me before, but this was the first time it escalated to physical violence. My only hope in speaking out is to prevent someone else from getting badly hurt."

He added: "Initially, I intended to let it pass and carry on quietly with my life. However, I realised that staying silent might leave other members of the public, especially elderly residents and families, vulnerable to escalating behaviour."

Since speaking out about his experience, which happened at around 3.30pm on Tuesday, Karucha has been "deeply touched" by the "overwhelmingly kind and supportive" response from the community. He said he has received many kind messages and even flowers from the community.

In an update and heartfelt thank you to the Hebburn community, he shared on the Dhammakaya Meditation Centre of Newcastle Facebook page.

Karucha wrote: "Following my initial post regarding the incident at Hebburn Riverside Park, I thought the matter would quietly pass.