Bashed man 'looked dead', says partner

The Mt Maunganui man allegedly bashed by intruders last week has returned to his home after what his partner describes as an "absolutely horrific" attack.

When neighbours first saw Chris Barclay lying in his driveway on Wednesday night, they thought he was dead.

"He was just lying dead straight ... as if he'd been put out by the undertaker," said Peter King. "Blood was pouring out of his head."

But yesterday, Barclay's partner Claire Neshat told the Herald on Sunday Chris had been discharged from Auckland hospital and the couple were back home in Mt Maunganui.

"He's doing very well, he's recovering nicely, so that's good."

Neshat did not want to relive the attack, saying only that it was horrifying.

The 48-year-old logistics operator was allegedly attacked by burglars after the couple returned to their beachside home to find a station wagon - loaded with their stolen belongings - in the driveway.

In the front seat were four samurai swords, and police allege that one of the three burglars used a 1.5m sheathed sword to bash Barclay over the back of the head.

The offenders left Barclay - with serious head injuries and a torn ear - in the driveway, and bolted, taking his Jaguar as well as their car.

Three people were arrested and appeared in Tauranga District Court on Friday.

Douglas Ward (26), Teresa Potae (21) and Kahlone Boyd (21) faced charges of aggravated wounding, burglary and unlawfully taking a motor vehicle.

The women were bailed with strict conditions, but Ward was remanded in custody until Tuesday.

Police say Ward had driven the Jaguar to Papamoa, where he met the women and unloaded the property, then abandoned the car.

His home was searched on Thursday night and the three were arrested soon after.