Stuart Outten: Hero Leyton attack police officer named for first time as suspect appears in court

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The hero police officer who was stabbed in the head after being attacked with a machete in east London has been named.

Pc Stuart Outten, 28, managed to taser his attacker despite being brutally injured in the "sudden and brutal" assault which lasted just seconds.

He remains in hospital following the attack, which took place in Leyton, east London, at around midnight on Thursday.

Muhammad Rodwan, 56, of Villiers Close, Luton, appeared in court at Thames Magistrates today charged with attempted murder.

He was also charged with possession of an offensive weapon.

Officers rush to help their colleague after he was stabbed in the attack

Rodwan, wearing a prison-issue grey tracksuit, appeared handcuffed to a security guard in the dock as he faced the charges for the first time.

Flanked by three guards, he showed no emotion during the five-minute hearing as the charges were read out. He spoke only to confirm his name, age, and nationality and to tell the court he has no current address.

“This was a completely unprovoked, repeated, and brutal assault with a machete on a police officer simply conducting his police officer duties on that day”, said prosecutor Varinder Hayre.

Deputy District Judge Adrian Turner remanded Rodwan in custody until a plea hearing at the Old Bailey on September 6.

He did not enter any pleas to the charges.

The aftermath of the attack
PA

The attack happened after the patrol officer tried to stop a van suspected of having no insurance.

The officer, who has around a decade of police experience, was treated by colleagues and paramedics in Leyton High Road as his uniform lay next to him on the ground.

Witness Muhammad Faisal, 31, said: "We saw someone lying on the road. Next to him was his police uniform.

"They were providing him assistance to his head. We didn't see the wound, but we saw a lot of blood."

The attack prompted outrage from policing leaders and politicians.

A van, believed to have been driven by the attacker, is loaded at the scene in Leyton, east London
PA

Metropolitan Police Federation chairman Ken Marsh said: "Police officers across London are out there every day at risk protecting the public - and sadly, yet again, a Metropolitan Police officer has suffered a severe injury on duty."

He added: "Enough is enough. Police officers should be going home at the end of their shifts. Not to hospital."

Home Secretary Priti Patel tweeted: "Absolutely horrified by the shocking stabbing of one of our brave police officers in Leyton overnight.

"His courage in the face of danger shows how police put their lives on the line to protect us every day. I wish the officer a full recovery & my thoughts are with him."

London mayor Sadiq Khan said it was a "sickening attack".

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