Champ: 'I felt like a criminal' (From Barry And District News)

Champ: 'I felt like a criminal'

THE BARRY karate champion who won a £1 million compensation battle with a former pupil has spoken exclusively to the News.

Clifton Brown, 43, revealed he had been under "intense pressure" following Kate Stratton's highly-publicised court case against him.

The 26-year-old Rhoose woman claimed she was left disabled after being kicked in the head during one of his lessons six years ago.

But a judge ruled last week that she had not proved her condition was due to the incident and she left court practically empty-handed, with only nominal damages and large legal bills.

Now Cliff, who says the court case has cost him his home and business, is picking up the pieces.

He told the News: "The pressure on my life is terrible. My partner and I split up and I have no income. And my father died before the verdict, so he doesn't know I'm legally not at fault."

But he stressed that he felt no bitterness towards Ms Stratton. "I feel sorry for Kate. I feel that what came out in court shows that she needs help," he said.

Cliff was the main instructor of Ms Stratton's class when she was kicked in the head during a sparring session.

He said: "At the time, I was teaching 16 hours a week. It took me eight years to build my business up, but it plummeted within 18 months."

"I've felt like a criminal. I locked myself in the house. When I ran out of food and was forced to go out, I wore a disguise so people wouldn't recognise me."

Now, with an outstanding business loan, plus treatment for anxiety, Cliff is not sure what to do next.

He said: "My confidence in teaching karate has gone. Before I stopped the lessons, I panicked if someone just stubbed a toe.

"Karate was my life and my dream job. But it's all been taken away from me."

Through the whole nightmare, Cliff said it had been his daughter who kept him sane.

He added: "All my hope has gone. But my daughter Neesha is my rock. She looked at me one day and said 'Daddy, I love you and I'm proud of you'.

"When I look to the future, I know whatever I do will be for my girl. I won't let her down."