‘Physically, I think I am doing fine, emotionally a bit fearful’: Benjamin Phikhohpoom on his school return
A Glen Eira College student has opened up about his excitement for the school year after he was abducted, stabbed then thrown from a moving car in a sickening attack that left him in a coma for six days.
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He was an innocent teenager walking home from school when he was abducted, stabbed then thrown from a moving car – all allegedly for his mobile phone and other belongings.
But five months on from the attack that sickened Victoria, Benjamin Phikhohpoom on Tuesday returns to Glen Eira College to begin year 10.
In an exclusive interview with the Herald Sun at his home in Melbourne’s southeast, Benjamin revealed he was feeling “really good” about going back to the classroom.
“I’m not nervous or distressed, I can’t wait to see my friends and get closer to them this year,” he said.
It’s tremendous progress for the now 15-year-old, who was in a coma for six days after a trio of teenagers – aged 14 and 15 – allegedly abducted him in broad daylight near his school last September.
He was dragged 150m out the door of their car and allegedly stabbed before he was run over in Caulfield East.
Suffering brain and spinal injuries, he spent more than two months in hospital with his parents always by his side, celebrating his 15th birthday before he could go home.
“Aside from balance, my co-ordination, eyesight and hearing are getting better,” he said.
“I’ve got hearing aids and my eyesight has returned to 80 per cent.
“I went back to school in term four, but it was in the final weeks so I’m looking forward to starting a new school year.
“My favourite subject is media and I’m thinking about going into the advertising industry.”
Benjamin, who has scars across his knuckles from the attack, said he was still trying to come to terms with an ordeal of which he has no memory.
“I don’t remember what happened to me, which I am happy about,” he said.
“I’m happy to continue being here. I don’t want people to worry about me much.
“Physically, I think I am doing fine, emotionally a bit fearful, but lightning never hits the same place twice, so I think I will be OK.
“Psychologically, I’m not quite sure how I’m going.
“I’m still trying to get back to where I was.”
The three teenagers accused of the attack were granted bail and will face a children’s court at a later date. The court has previously heard one of the teens was out on bail when Benjamin was assaulted.
The 14-year-old who cannot be named for legal reasons, faces more than 70 charges, which mostly relate to a week-long crime spree involving multiple alleged thefts and armed robberies.
Benjamin’s mother Wannisa Srichan called for tougher bail laws for youth offenders.
“We are very angry about what’s happened to him. He didn’t deserve this,” she said.
“I wish my son’s case can change the law. If teens can commit these crimes, they should be treated like adults in court.
“Thankfully, he can’t remember what happened to him. I never want another family to go through this.”
Benjamin said he was concerned about escalating youth crime in Melbourne.
“I am very concerned, there’s minor crime, like jumping through fences, but endangering people’s lives and in extreme cases murder, it’s really bad,” he said.
His mother recalled fearing her son would not survive as his injuries were so severe.
“I thought I lost him forever on that day,” Ms Srichan said.
“As a mother, it is very difficult to see your son in so much pain. He has struggled with his confidence and it hasn’t been easy.”
Ms Srichan said she was “too fearful” to let Benjamin walk to school.
“We take him to school every day,” she said. “We are giving him all of the extra care he needs. “To look at him now and how he is recovering, it’s amazing.”
Benjamin said he wanted to thank his friends, teachers and the wider community for their continuing support.
“Thank you so much to my teachers, my friends and the community,” he said.
“My teachers have helped me a lot and they have shown they really care about students and their wellbeing.”
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