Unprovoked attacker hit like a girl - Laws

Michael Laws was attacked from behind at a Wanganui bar. Photo / Doug Sherring

Broadcaster Michael Laws is sporting a black eye after he was assaulted in a Wanganui bar by a man he said "hit like a girl".

The former Wanganui Mayor had just arrived at Caroline's Celtic bar when he was king-hit from behind about 11.30pm on Friday.

"As I walked into the area of the bar where the band was playing, I was attacked from behind by an assailant," he said in a statement yesterday.

"It was entirely unprovoked and I had neither exchanged words nor looks with this individual. I was not seriously hurt but sustained some damage to my right eye, cheekbone and mouth."

Wanganui police Sergeant Colin Wright said a couple of porcelain veneers were knocked from Mr Laws' teeth when he was punched in the side of the head.

Laws did not know the man who attacked him, or get a good look at him.

"According to witnesses, the person who attacked me was Pakeha and wearing a green and black hoodie that he used to purposefully conceal his identity. After the attack, he fled."

He told the Herald last night he was "fine". He could not believe what was happening during the assault and was more worried for his "companion", who he described on Facebook as "an attractive blonde".

It was unclear who was his companion.

Laws also wrote about the attack on his Facebook page.

"The damage is mostly to my temporary bridge altho' my girls are admiring the black eye. Fortunately, he hit like a girl ..."

Laws said the owners of the bar were "mortified" and he did not want the assault to reflect negatively on them.

Bar manager Caroline Norton confirmed there had been an "incident" on Friday night. She refused to go into detail, stating her policy of protecting the identity of patrons.

Laws said rumours were rife that his attacker was a local gang member.

"I am not able to confirm rumours that the individual was a gang member although I would not be surprised," he said.

"I have encountered continuing attempts to intimidate myself and my family since championing Wanganui's anti-gang legislation. It has never intimidated me and neither will this. In fact, exactly the reverse. The person who did this was a coward."

Wanganui police spokeswoman Kim Perks said an investigation into the assault was in its early stages.