A drug-dealing father almost died after he was attacked with a rubber mallet and left in need of facial reconstruction surgery, a court heard.

The assault happened shortly before Ryan Doe was caught in possession of high purity MDMA (ecstasy) and cannabis.

“He was struck about the face and body and had fractures to his jaw in two places,” said his lawyer Adrian Rohard.

The 27-year-old dad-of-one was taken to Medway Hospital and then transferred to Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead for specialist treatment.

While there he had to be resuscitated twice because of his drug-taking.

“His lungs were not functioning properly due to the ingestion of cocaine,” said Mr Rohard.

“They were in a bad way.

“He said: ‘I realise now my use of drugs have had serious life consequences.’”

Doe, of Grove Road, Chatham, had previous convictions for dealing when he was arrested on November 5 last year.

He had 460 grammes of ecstasy at 72 per cent purity and when his home was searched 88.9 grammes of herbal cannabis was seized. A dealer’s tick list was found in a handbag.

Prosecutor Craig Evans told Maidstone Crown Court there were children in the house at the time.

Doe, who has 18 previous convictions for 31 offences, including dealing in amphetamine and cannabis, admitted possessing drugs with intent to supply.

Mr Rohard said the unemployed plasterer agreed to look after the ecstasy because he was in debt to a dealer.

He had grown up in care since the age of 13 because his mother could not cope with his behaviour and he had been in trouble ever since.

“Given his near death experience, he realises he has got to stop using drugs,” said Mr Rohard. “He has a daughter, aged nine. He wants to break the cycle.”

Jailing Doe for two years, Recorder Matthew Nicklin QC said he was a persistent offender who had failed to respond to sentences passed.