A MAN was badly beaten by a gang of thugs in front of his screaming five-year-old daughter.

The victim, 38, from Basildon, suffered multiple injuries including fractured ribs, a punctured lung, facial wounds, bruising and possible abdominal injuries.

He is now recovering in Basildon Hospital.

The man was riding along Clay Hill Road, Basildon, with his young daughter sitting on the handlebars of his bicycle.

He had reached the green area near Mid Colne, known locally as the Salt Box, when the gang of five or six men pounced.

They knocked the man and his daughter off the bike, before laying into the dad with heavy kicks and punches. His terrified daughter, who was not physically hurt, lay screaming on the ground as the attack went on.

The gang fled before police and paramedics arrived to help the man.

Police are investigating the attack and have appealed for witnesses to come forward.

Investigating officer Det Con Nic Graham said: “These people carried out this attack in broad daylight, on a Sunday afternoon, in a public area, busy with people.

“I would ask anyone with any information about the attack to contact me.

“The little girl involved could also have been seriously injured, but she managed to escape unhurt, other than being extremely distressed by the afternoon’s events.”

Detectives believe it is poosible the gang were lying in wait for the man, who regularly drops off his daughter to her mum at the spot, as part of a custody arrangement.

Anyone with information about the attack, which happened just after 4pm on Sun-day, should call detectives at Basildon CID on 0300 3334444.

l Dean Pike, 39, of no fixed address and Robert Balloch, 19, of Southview Road, Vange, have been charged in connection with the incident.

Yesterday they appeared at Basildon Magistrates’ Court to face a charge of violent disorder and causing grievous bodily harm.

The pair were remanded in custody and will reappear at Basildon Crown Court in August.

A 21-year-old man was also arrested and is still being questioned by police.