TV man's wife feared for his sight

The wife of TV3 sports presenter Clint Brown feared he would lose his sight after being bashed, but Brown has admitted there was a "verbal altercation" before the attack.

He was hospitalised with a fractured eye socket, severe facial bruising and chipped teeth after he was assaulted after a night out drinking with friends in Taupo last week. He was attending a dinner for those involved in the A1 Grand Prix race.

Brown says he was hit from behind by two men but Mere Wall, the owner of Taupo's Top Cab Company, claimed the TV personality provoked the attack - allegations which Brown "utterly refutes".

"I just couldn't believe his attitude given the profession he is in." Wall said. She said Brown started abusing cab drivers and customers after he was refused entry at several bars. TV3 spokesman Roger Beaumont said Brown and two witnesses "utterly refute the allegations".

Brown's wife, Sue, called the claims "ridiculous".

"That doesn't sound like my husband at all," she said. "He's never abusive to people unless they abuse him first."