A DAD who was run over by men taking drugs outside his house wants to face his attackers to find out "what was going through their minds".

Daniel Pope was hit by a car in front of his seven-year-old daughter after confronting the men in Deepdene Road, Loughton, at 2pm on Friday.

But he says he doesn't want to ruin their lives and instead of seeing them arrested, would rather take part in a restorative justice programme.

The 41-year-old told the Epping Forest Guardian: "At first I was really angry and I wanted revenge but now, I'm not even 100 per cent sure I want them to be arrested.

"I know it sounds silly but this could really mess up their lives and I don't think I want to be responsible for that.

"I would however like to see them face to face to find out what the hell was going through their minds.

"I did some silly things when I was young - and though never this silly, I keep thinking where I would be now if I had not been given chances.

"So I really want to give these guys a chance, but they need to understand the consequences of their actions."

Mr Pope says the group of four young men pulled up in two cars and started taking drugs right by his house.

His back garden gate was open and his daughter told him what was happening, so he went out to ask them to move along.

Two of them did but the others refused, so he grabbed his mobile phone and started filming the mêlée.

The men can be heard on camera telling him to stop recording or they'll "smash" the phone. Then they to grab it from his hand.

Mr Pope decided to walk back towards his house and it was then that he heard the rev of the engine.

"It was as I was walking to my house that I heard the car start, I turned around to see it speeding towards me", he said.

"I tried to get out of the way. I only recall seeing my daughter running and my neighbours coming towards me to help.

"The wheels came close to my head but I can't remember thinking much.

"There was lots of blood but I am doing better."

Mr Pope's right arm is bruised and his right leg and neck are in pain, but he has not felt unwell enough to go to hospital.

Although shaken up at first, his daughter is doing better and seems to have recovered from the ordeal.

She was not hurt during the incident.

Mr Pope added: "I'm just happy that nothing is broken. I am 6ft 6 and played rugby so I'm used to taking a hit - just not one from a car."

He called Essex Police, who confirmed they are investigating.

A spokesman said: “Police were called to reports a man had been assaulted in Loughton.

“The victim, a man in his 40s, had been involved in an argument with two people in Deepdene Road.”

The spokesman added that the two then got into a car that hit Mr Pope.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Loughton police station on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.