KOJI TAKEUCHI SHOCKS BRIGHTON AND NEWARK WITH SEX OFFENCES AND MONK'S REIGN OF TERROR

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the communities of Brighton and Newark, Koji Takeuchi, a well-known Buddhist monk, has been sentenced to a total of six years in prison for heinous sexual offenses committed against a young girl over four decades ago. The disturbing revelations emerged during a court hearing at Lewes Crown Court in Hove, where the details of Takeuchi's abuse were laid bare, highlighting a pattern of predatory behavior that exploited his trusted position within the community.

Takeuchi, aged 80, who also goes by the name Buddha Maitreya, was a familiar figure in Brighton, where his garden attracted approximately 10,000 visitors annually before the COVID-19 pandemic forced its closure. His reputation was further bolstered by his appearance in an episode of Alan Titchmarsh’s 2015 television series, Britain’s Best Back Gardens, showcasing his serene Japanese garden in Nottinghamshire. Despite his public persona as a spiritual leader and meditation master, the court heard that Takeuchi’s true nature was far more sinister.

The court was informed that Takeuchi frequently visited a family in Brighton, where he was invited to conduct meditation sessions for the parents and their community. As part of his arrangement, he was allowed to stay overnight in the family home, a privilege that he exploited to carry out his abuse. The young girl, only three years old at the time, was subjected to a series of sexual assaults by Takeuchi between 1975 and 1981. During these encounters, he would tell her, “I’m your boyfriend and you’re my girlfriend,” and subjected her to what was described as “rough, forceful, firm and insistent” abuse.

Prosecutor Gabby Henty explained that Takeuchi’s visits to the Brighton home were not isolated incidents but part of a pattern of grooming and exploitation. The family’s relationship with the monk was built on community events and Buddhist ceremonies, which made his presence seem trustworthy and benign. The court heard that from the very first occasion he was alone with the girl, Takeuchi began his abusive behavior, further cementing his manipulative control over the young victim.

The girl, now an adult, delivered a heartbreaking victim impact statement, revealing how the abuse had devastated her life. She described feeling betrayed and vulnerable, reaching out to adults for help only to find that her pleas were ignored. “I had been taken advantage of and groomed by this man at my most vulnerable,” she said. “He was a trusted adult, respected and powerful. I have always thought I wasn’t believed. What Buddha Maitreya has done has destroyed me. I was a little girl at home. I should have been safe with my parents. He took advantage of that and of me. I could have had a whole different life if someone had looked out for me, if someone had saved me, if Buddha Maitreya had never abused me. He took away my childhood and I will never get that back.”

Judge Jeremy Gold QC emphasized that Takeuchi’s abuse was compounded by his position of trust as a spiritual guide invited into the family home for Buddhist ceremonies. The judge condemned the defendant for exploiting this trust to commit his crimes, which have had lasting effects on the victim’s life.

In sentencing, Takeuchi received two consecutive three-year prison terms, with an additional one-year extended license for each sentence, totaling eight years. Furthermore, the court imposed an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which will prevent him from working with vulnerable adults or children for the rest of his life. The order also requires him to register as a sex offender.

Takeuchi’s background includes running meditation facilities in Nottinghamshire and India. Originally from Handa, near Nagoya, Japan, he previously lived as a Zen monk and claims to be enlightened. He maintains a following worldwide and uses his website to fundraise for projects in India. His Japanese garden in Nottinghamshire, which was featured in the TV series, remains closed during the pandemic but continues to attract visitors.

Despite his public image as a spiritual leader, the court’s verdict underscores the grave danger posed by individuals who abuse positions of trust. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safeguarding vulnerable individuals from exploitation, even within seemingly peaceful and revered communities.