A Ballarat food delivery driver says he no longer feels Ballarat is safe, after he was assaulted while making a delivery in Sebastopol on Friday night.
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Delacombe man Sreekanth Lella, 31, who works part-time as an Uber Eats driver, was delivering a parcel of food on Albert Street when he was sprung upon by a group of people brandishing iron rods and sticks about 10:30pm.
Mr Lella said he was cornered by about six people, who he believes were teenagers, after he left the package of food on the front porch of a property.
The group proceeded to beat him when he refused to provide them the keys to his car.
"I hesitated to give them my keys and I tried to escape them by locking myself in my car but they managed to break in and they continued to hit me," he said.
"I screamed out for help and no one came to my aid."
Mr Lella said his only reprieve from the chaos came once he notified his friend about the incident.
"I sent him my location and he was able to get me out and drive me to the (Ballarat Base) hospital for my cuts," he said.
"I suffered bleeding to my forehead, my knee and had a terrible muscle ache on my shoulder."
He said he was particularly cautious to protect his neck during the ordeal after receiving surgery several months ago for a bulging disc. While Mr Lella escaped with only minor injuries he said the ordeal had left him disturbed and immensely shaken.
"I feel Ballarat is not a safe place anymore after this," he said.
Mr Lella said he believed the attack had been pre-planned and racially motivated.
"This happening makes me feel like I don't belong," he said.
"I've been here for more than four years and I just feel like I'm being rejected and not appreciated. We came here alone and we are contributing to this country but we end up living like this.
"It's as if they (the group) did this as a bit of fun."
Mr Lella came to Ballarat from India to study a masters degree in civil engineering at Federation University in February 2018.
He graduated in December 2019 however, he says he has since struggled to obtain work in the region which has left him reliant on delivering food part-time.
Police confirmed officers are investigating the incident and are appealing for witnesses to the altercation.
Anyone who witnessed the incident or with any information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
A confidential report can also be made at crimestoppersvic.com.au
If you or someone you know is impacted by crime, call the Victims of Crime Helpline on 1800 819 817 or visit www.victimsofcrime.vic.gov.au.
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Malvika Hemanth
Malvika has a strong interest in covering stories on welfare, cost of living pressures and the arts. She works on the unceded lands of the Wadawurrung people and pays her respect to elders past, present and emerging.
Malvika has a strong interest in covering stories on welfare, cost of living pressures and the arts. She works on the unceded lands of the Wadawurrung people and pays her respect to elders past, present and emerging.
