A young woman today said standing up to catcallers nearly cost her life after she was mown down by two thugs on a moped when she rejected their advances.

Pagan Lilley Motlagh-Phillips, 19, was badly injured after ignoring two louts who were harassing her as she walked home with her younger brother.

She said the men pulled out of an alleyway and the driver shouted: “You alright, darling?” When she refused to respond she says the man demanded an an-swer and threatened them, before reversing back up the road and deliberately driving at them on the pavement.

Miss Motlagh-Phillips, of East Ham, pushed her brother Trojan, 18, out of the way but was thrown to the ground and knocked unconscious. She alleges the bike then reversed over her.

The incident took place in Cherry Tree Walk, Rainham, at 9.30pm on June 6, after a trip to Lakeside. Miss Motlagh-Phillips, a housing benefit officer at Newham council and who is planning a career in social law, said: “I do not believe a woman should have to put up with being catcalled on the street so I took a stand but it nearly cost me my life.

“I could have been killed but I believe in social justice and more must be done to catch those committing such crimes against women. By standing up and being counted I’m hoping other women come forward and more pressure will be put on the police and things will change for the better.”

After the incident Ms Motlagh-Phillips was taken to Queen’s hospital in Romford where doctors found internal bruising. She said she had to take two weeks off from her job because of her injuries: “I ended up battered in hospital. The tyre had shredded my clothes and torn into my skin, it was so painful.”

The incident had left her traumatised and fearful that she might be struck down again, she added: “After what happened I couldn’t go out — I was just too scared. I had very long distinctive hair which I felt was like a sign on my back for my attackers to recognise me in the street so I cut it short. No one should have to do that but it was the only way I could regain the confidence to get on with my life.”

She said she had been too scared to make her ordeal public until almost three months later. Police “need to do more and take more seriously crimes against women — we are being seriously let down,” she said. “People need to know this intimidation must stop.”

Scotland Yard said a 21-year-old man was arrested but no further action was taken because there was not enough evidence. A Met spokesman said: “Officers from Havering CID investigated and CCTV footage was obtained but it was not possible to identify the suspects. All possible leads have been explored. Should additional information come to light this will be reviewed.” Anyone with information should call 101 using reference number 5409597/1.

A survey by ActionAid found three quarters of women have suffered public harassment or violence in cities.

Anyone with information about this incident should call 101 using the reference number 5409597/16.